Eating fish in the New Year means more than one year. Fish is homophonic with "fish", which means that there is more than one year. Eating it in the New Year represents people's expectation for the new year, hoping to earn more, save more and have a surplus in the coming year.

Fish is the last dish at the banquet, and it is basically not eaten when serving. As a mascot, it means "more than one year". In some places, fish is eaten at New Year's Eve, and the head and tail should be reserved for next year to express the wish of "having a head and a tail" in the new year. Moreover, different fish have different meanings. Carp is homophonic with "ceremony", so it is good to eat carp in the New Year. Eating crucian carp in the New Year is homophonic with "Ji", and eating crucian carp and crucian carp together in the New Year is auspicious; Eating silver carp in the New Year is homophonic with "Lian", and eating silver carp in the New Year is more and more year by year. When eating fish during the Spring Festival, pay attention to the fish head and show respect to distinguished guests or elders.