What to eat on the first day of the twelfth lunar month (food culture in traditional Chinese festivals)

The significance of the first day of the twelfth lunar month

The first day of the twelfth lunar month is the twelfth month of the Chinese lunar calendar The first day is also the eve of the Spring Festival, an important traditional Chinese festival. The first day of the twelfth lunar month is regarded as the "Ancestor Worship Festival". People will worship their ancestors on this day and pray for their family safety and happiness. On this day, every household will serve dumplings, rice cakes and other delicacies to enjoy the happy time of reunion.

The food culture on the first day of the twelfth lunar month

The food culture on the first day of the twelfth lunar month is an important part of traditional Chinese culture. On this day, people will prepare various delicacies to express respect and gratitude to their ancestors and to celebrate this festival of reunion.

Dumplings

Dumplings are one of the essential foods on the first day of the twelfth lunar month. In China, dumplings are not only a delicacy, but also a culture. On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, every household will make dumplings. During the process of making dumplings, family members communicate with each other and pass on family culture and traditions. The dumplings are shaped like ingots, which symbolize wealth, wealth and good fortune. In the north, the fillings of dumplings are mostly pork, leeks, etc., while in the south, the fillings of dumplings are mostly shrimps, fresh meat, etc.

New Year Cake

New Year Cake is a traditional Chinese New Year food and one of the indispensable delicacies on the first day of the twelfth lunar month. The process of making rice cakes is cumbersome, requiring soaking and steaming glutinous rice, then adding sugar, sesame and other ingredients, and finally making round rice cakes. The shape of the rice cake symbolizes family reunion, happiness and happiness. When eating rice cakes, people will say, "Every year you get promoted, you get promoted step by step", which means that your career and life will get better and better in the new year.

Tangyuan

Tangyuan is one of the traditional Chinese festival foods and one of the indispensable delicacies on the first day of the twelfth lunar month. The making process of glutinous rice balls is simple. Add water to glutinous rice flour and knead it into a dough, then form into small balls, add sesame seeds, sugar and other ingredients, and finally put them into boiling water and cook. The shape of glutinous rice balls symbolizes family reunion, harmony and happiness. When eating glutinous rice balls, people will say "Tuanyuanyuan", which means family harmony and unity.

Food recommendations for the first day of the twelfth lunar month

In addition to dumplings, rice cakes, and glutinous rice balls, there are many other delicacies worth recommending.

Tanghulu

Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese snack and one of the delicacies on the first day of the twelfth lunar month. The process of making candied haws is simple. Just skewer hawthorns, strawberries, cherries and other fruits, dip them in syrup, and finally dry them. The shape of candied haws symbolizes family reunion and happiness.

Peanut candy

Peanut candy is a traditional Chinese candy and one of the delicacies on the first day of the twelfth lunar month. The process of making peanut candy is simple, just fry the peanuts, add syrup, and finally dry them. The shape of peanut candy symbolizes family reunion and happiness.

Fish

In Chinese culture, fish symbolizes abundance, wealth and good fortune. Therefore, on the first day of the twelfth lunar month, every household will prepare fish food. In the south, people eat fish soup, which symbolizes family harmony and unity. In the northern region, people eat grilled fish, which means a prosperous career and a happy family.

Summary of food culture on the first day of the twelfth lunar month

The first day of the twelfth lunar month is an important traditional festival in China and an important part of Chinese food culture. On this day, people will prepare various delicacies to express respect and gratitude to their ancestors and to celebrate this festival of reunion. Dumplings, rice cakes, glutinous rice balls, candied haws, peanut candies, fish and other delicacies are indispensable foods on the first day of the twelfth lunar month. While enjoying these delicacies, you should also cherish the family reunion time and pray to your ancestors to bless your family with peace and happiness.