Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations in Chinese culture, celebrated with many unique traditions and customs. One of the traditions that attracts attention is the prohibition of eating porridge and meat during this celebration. Why is this prohibition in place and what does it mean? This article will explain the reasons behind the prohibition of eating porridge and meat during Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year Background
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a celebration that marks the beginning of a new year in the Chinese lunar calendar. The celebration usually lasts for 15 days and is filled with various activities such as family dinners, giving red envelopes, and lighting fireworks. Each tradition and custom during this celebration has a deep symbolic meaning.
Prohibition of Eating Porridge
One of the prohibitions that are often followed during Chinese New Year is not to eat porridge on the first morning of the new year. This prohibition is based on several symbolic reasons. In Chinese culture, porridge is often considered a poor person's food because of its simple and cheap ingredients. Therefore, eating porridge on the first day of the new year is believed to bring poverty and financial difficulties throughout the year.
Instead, people prefer more luxurious and abundant food to symbolize prosperity and good luck. In addition, thin and loose porridge is also considered to symbolize instability and uncertainty. Eating porridge on this day is believed to bring instability in life and work. To avoid this, people prefer dense and filling food as a symbol of stability and security.
Prohibition of Eating Meat
In addition to porridge, eating meat is also often avoided during the first few days of Chinese New Year for cultural and symbolic reasons. One reason is to honor the gods and ancestors, where many Chinese families perform veneration ceremonies during this celebration. In some traditions, eating meat is considered inappropriate because it is considered a lack of respect. As a form of respect, vegetarian food is preferred during this period.
In addition, eating meat, especially red meat, is often associated with violence and bloodshed. During Chinese New Year, people try to avoid anything that symbolizes violence and conflict, so vegetarian food, which symbolizes peace and harmony, is considered more in keeping with the spirit of the celebration.
Food Alternatives During Chinese New Year
Despite the prohibition on eating porridge and meat, there are many other foods that can be enjoyed during Chinese New Year. Some of the foods that are often served during this celebration include:
- Basket Cake (Nian Gao) : This traditional cake made from glutinous rice and sugar symbolizes improvement and progress. Eating basket cake is believed to bring progress and success in career and life.
- Mandarin Oranges : This fruit symbolizes wealth and prosperity because in Chinese, the word for mandarin orange sounds similar to the word for gold. Serving mandarin oranges at home or giving them as gifts is believed to bring financial luck.
- Longevity Noodles : These noodles symbolize longevity and health. Eating longevity noodles is believed to bring health and longevity to those who eat them.
- Spring rolls : Spring rolls symbolize wealth and prosperity because of their shape that resembles a gold bar. Serving spring rolls during Chinese New Year is believed to bring financial good fortune.
Conclusion
The prohibition of eating porridge and meat during Chinese New Year is part of a tradition and custom that has deep symbolic meaning. Porridge is considered to symbolize poverty and instability, while meat is considered inappropriate during a period of respect for gods and ancestors. By following these prohibitions, Chinese people hope to bring good luck, prosperity, and harmony into their lives throughout the year.
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand more about the traditions and meanings behind the prohibition of eating porridge and meat during Chinese New Year. Happy Chinese New Year and may good luck always be with you!
