Tangerines and Oranges
Displaying and eating these fruits is said to bring wealth and luck. According to the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, the tradition stems from the way the Chinese words for gold and orange sound alike, while the word for tangerine echoes luck. "It's good if they have leaves," adds Lum, "because leaves symbolize longevity." But don't group them in fours, because, Dunlop says, this number is associated with death.
Long Noodles
If noodles are served, then "keep them as long as possible for long life," says Lum.
The Tray of Togetherness
Put out for visiting relatives to snack on, or given as a gift, the eight ("a traditionally symbolic lucky number," explains Dunlop) compartments of the tray are filled with things such as preserved kumquats for prosperity, coconut for togetherness, longans to bring many sons, and red melon seeds for happiness.
Nian Gao
"Nian gao means year cake, but gao sounds the same as the word for tall or high," says Dunlop. Hence the cakes symbolize achieving new heights in the coming year. The steamed sweets are made of glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, and oil. Some versions have white sesame seeds, red dates, or nuts in them (the dates are said to bring "early prosperity," writes Gong in Good Luck Life). If you want to try your hand at making nian gao, here's our recipe. Chowhounds also have some tips.
Pomelo
This large citrus fruit is popular, writes Gong, because it is thought to bring "continuous prosperity and status." The tradition comes from the way the Cantonese phrase for pomelo sounds similar to the words for prosperity and status, explains Lum.
相关单词：tangerine
tangerine解释：n.橘子，橘子树
tangerine例句：
Hand me of a the ripest tangerine please.请递给我一个最熟的橘子。
These tangerine are transported here by air from Fuzhou.这些福橘是刚刚从福州空运过来的。
相关单词：symbolize
symbolize解释：vt.作为...的象征，用符号代表
symbolize例句：
Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。
Dolphins symbolize the breath of life.海豚象征着生命的气息。
相关单词：longevity
longevity解释：n.长命；长寿
longevity例句：
Good habits promote longevity.良好的习惯能增长寿命。
Human longevity runs in families.人类的长寿具有家族遗传性。
相关单词：symbolic
symbolic解释：adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的
symbolic例句：
It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。
相关单词：compartments
compartments解释：n.间隔( compartment的名词复数 )；（列车车厢的）隔间；（家具或设备等的）分隔间；隔层
compartments例句：
Your pencil box has several compartments. 你的铅笔盒有好几个格。 来自《简明英汉词典》
The first-class compartments are in front. 头等车室在前头。 来自《简明英汉词典》
相关单词：coconut
coconut解释：n.椰子
coconut例句：
The husk of this coconut is particularly strong.椰子的外壳很明显非常坚固。
The falling coconut gave him a terrific bang on the head.那只掉下的椰子砰地击中他的脑袋。
相关单词：glutinous
glutinous解释：adj.粘的，胶状的
glutinous例句：
The sauce was glutinous and tasted artificial.这种酱有些黏，尝起来不是非常地道。
The coat covering the soft candies is made from glutinous rice.包裹软糖的江米纸是由糯米做成的。
