During the Chinese festivities associated with their New Year, a countless number of things exist, which the Chinese avail of, to bring fortune and joy for the coming year. With regard to the gala surrounding the spring festival, an extensive variety of foods are available that are recognized as happiness symbols.

It is widely acknowledged that this New Year of the Chinese people denotes merriment and is a festivity where all the family comes together and share some good times. To the Chinese, this occasion brings with it joy, fortune and well-being to each family member.

Obviously, the food, which is cooked, should be in harmony with the intention or goal, which the family is directed towards. Following is the list of mandatory food items at the time of the New Year festivity, which symbolize happiness:

1) The Hot Pot

This steaming hot pot, also called Chinese fondue, filled with vegetables, meat, and seafood is compulsory. The hot pot is considered to usher in fortune and growth.

2) The Fish

Especially the fish known as yu is a popular dish, which is regularly served at Chinese New Year festivities. The fish is supposed to represent profusion or excess. Generally, the fish is steamed and served on Chinese New Year eve for the get-together dinner. A further belief that is associated with the fish states that the bones, tail, and head should be retained in one piece when it is served.

3) The Shrimp

Now the shrimp is associated with welfare and joy for the beginning of the New Year of the Chinese people.

4) The Boiled Dumplings

Fashioned like gold bars, boiled dumplings are an essential item of Chinese New Year festivities. The dumplings signify the hour at which the New Year changes over. In the extreme north of China, these dumplings are stuffed with meat and consumed so as to fetch riches and good fortune during the coming year.

Occasionally a coin is inserted into a few dumplings and there is this belief that the individual who sinks his teeth into it will receive riches in the coming New Year. In addition, dumplings and yellow noodles when prepared in combination represent "golden filaments through gold bars". In Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, egg dumplings are attractively served and consumed, as they appear very similar to gold bars.

5) The Oyster

Wonderful tidings are what the oyster signifies. It is a common custom in the southern China, to serve oysters with rice noodles, which are very fine.

6) The Green Vegetables

These green vegetables signify strengthening of intimate family bonds because they denote closeness or intimacy.

7) Sticky Rice Cake

Made from rice flour and topped with red dates, the steamed cake is a sign of getting additional wealth and status for the forthcoming New Year of the Chinese.

8) The Noodles

Chinese noodles are forever linked with prolonged existence.

Is it not true that the Chinese lifestyle revolves around good luck? While some of us are not Chinese by faith or birth, there is no harm in pursuing the custom of serving these eatables as symbols of happiness for New Year. Now happiness cannot be wholly ascribed to fortune. It is just coming up with successful ways to attain happiness. However, you should in no way rely on these foods for finding happiness. They are simply but enrichments.