Reunion Dinner on February 6

In two evenings time, most Chinese will be gathered for the annual reunion dinner. The meal is more than a sentimental gesture. Its symbolism and significance can never be underscored. Parents, as hosts, beam upon the success of their children and bask in the sound and laughter of the grandchildren.

Like all parents, they wish their children to prosper. Therefore, every dish on the table reflects the idea of a smooth and successful new year.

You need to understand the use of homonyms to appreciate the dishes on the table.
The pineapple is a must because the Cantonese word for it sounds like "wong lai" which means luck is on the way. Oyster is another compulsory ingredient. Oyster is hosi in Cantonese which means a good thing.

Prawns sounds like the sound of laughter : si si ha ha whilst the nian gao or sweet cake sounds like a better year. The fact that the shape is round gives the idea of unity, that it is sweet implies the new year would be without sorrow and that it is sticky implies unity.

The Reunion Dinner

The Reunion Dinner takes place on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Family members who work away from home would not miss this meal because of its deep significance. It is a time to express filial piety to ancestors as well as to elders. The successful children, now adults express their respect and love for their parents with tokens of gifts either as red packets which contain money or festive food items such as shark's fin, bird's nest or ginseng. Parents do no demand for anything except their presence.

At this meal, each dish on the table has a symbolic meaning. Everything "round" symbolizes unity. Thus meat and fish balls would be part of the menu. The family gathering itself reflects a united gathering. Fish and chicken symbolizes prosperity. Black moss represents longevity. The nian gao or sweet cake as well as the mandarin oranges has the shape of "nuggets", which implies prosperity.