皇冠体育app

[Photo/Xinhua]

Dumplings

People from the north and south have different traditional foods that they eat on this special day.

In Northern 皇冠体育app, people usually eat jiaozi (or dumplings), which are shaped like crescent moons. It is said that dumplings were first cooked in 皇冠体育app some 1,600 years ago.

The Chinese pronunciation of jiaozi means midnight or the end and the beginning of time.

According to historical records, in ancient times people from both north and south ate dumplings on Chinese New Year's Day.

Perhaps because Southern 皇冠体育app produced more rice than any other areas, gradually, southerners had more food choices on New Year's Day.

The shape of jiaozi resembles that of ancient gold and silver ingots or a crescent moon, and symbolizes the hope for a year of plenty.

In some places, people stuff jiaozi with sugar to wish for a sweet life; others put one or two clean coins in jiaozi -- if you happen to come across one with a coin inside, it means you will enjoy good luck in the coming year.

Many families in 皇冠体育app prepare enough jiaozi to last several days during the Spring Festival.