新年快樂，在龍年。

sunday
notes from maggie's farm

好運和繁榮！

Kung hei fat choi! “Luck and prosperity!” is the customary greeting during Chinese New Year, a celebration that lasts from the new moon, or lunar new year, to the Lantern Festival 15 days later. 
Food and feasting play a large part in the festivities, with each item on the table symbolizing a wish for the coming year. Among them,
Chicken: Representing happiness and marriage.
Eggs: Fertility.
Chinese garlic chives, Noodles, and Peanuts: Long life.
Oranges, bamboo shoots, and dumplings: Wealth.

We'll enjoy sharing recipes with these ingredients, and many more, over the next two weeks.

Spring Festival Origins - the Legend of the Nian Gao
In ancient times, people were tormented by a beast called a Nian. The Nian had a very large mouth, which it used to swallow many people with a single bite. Finally, an old man found a way to trick the beast into disappearing. People celebrate this event at Chinese New Year. In fact, Nian means "year" in modern Chinese, and people often say Guo Nian, meaning "celebrate New Year," while the literal translation is "survive the Nian." The custom of setting off fire-crackers and decorating the home with red paper also has its origins in the myth of the man-eating beast. The loud noises and bright colors are designed to make sure Nian is too scared to ever return. The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year season.  (courtesy of about.com)

It is tradition during this time to reconcile, forget all grudges and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.
And we sincerely do.  


Have a happy and peaceful week,
from maggie's farm