China has been perfecting the art of dumpling (also called jiaozi) making since the Sung dynasty (about 1,800 years ago). The dumplings typically consist of ground meat and/or a vegetable filling wrapped into a thinly rolled piece of dough. It is one of the major staple foods or local specialties in north China and enjoyed by many Chinese people.
In north China, people normally finish preparing dumplings before midnight and eat dumplings between 11:00 pm and 1:00 a.m. on Chuxi, the Lunar Chinese New Year’s Eve. This period of time is considered the changing point between the old and the new year.
Some families hide a coin inside one or more of the jiaozi, so someone may bite into something hard and discover a gold or silver coin inside their dumpling. Whoever finds the dumpling with the coin has good luck and will be lucky in the upcoming year. People eat dumplings during this time to pray for joy, happiness and prosperity for the new year.
The shape of the dumplings is similar to the shape of ancient Chinese money Yuan Bao, and signifies money and wealth.
I remember every Lunar New Year’s Eve when I was young, we made jiaozi with my grandparents. I remember my grandparents would cook all day to prepare dinner. They were tired from the long day, yet still had smiles and joy on their faces. It was a day of reunion, a day of happiness, a day of looking forward to the future, and the next happy and successful year.
I remember the warmth from the steaming of the jiaozi in the cold winter night. I remember the feeling of warmth, loveliness, and happiness from being together with family.
Wei Geiger is an Issaquah Highlands resident and leader of the Issaquah Highlands Meditation Group. She taught a dumpling making workshop at Blakely Hall on Jan. 17, 2020 as part of our 2020 Lunar New Year community celebration.
FAQs
The act of making and eating dumplings during this festival is a familial activity, embodying the hopes for a prosperous and fortunate year ahead. It's also believed that the more dumplings one eats during the Lunar New Year celebrations, the more money and good luck one will have in the new year.
What does eating dumplings mean for Chinese New Year? ›
Dumplings are eaten during Chinese New Year because the dumplings themselves look like money pouches and are said to represent fortune and prosperity in the coming year. On top of that, it is a great way for the family to spend time together.
What are Chinese New Year dumplings called? ›
Jiaozi (simplified Chinese: 饺子; traditional Chinese: 餃子; pinyin: jiǎo zi; [tɕjàʊ. tsɹ̩]) are a type of Chinese dumpling. Jiaozi typically consist of a ground meat or vegetable filling wrapped into a thinly rolled piece of dough, which is then sealed by pressing the edges together.
What is the significance of dumplings in Chinese culture? ›
Chinese dumpling is one of the most important foods in Chinese New Year. Since the shape of Chinese dumplings is similar to ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, they symbolize wealth. Traditionally, the members of a family get together to make dumplings during the New Year's Eve.
What are the lucky dumplings for Chinese New Year? ›
蛋饺 Dan jiao (Lunar new year egg dumplings in broth)
Dan jiao are commonly found on lunar new year banquet tables in China's southern regions. The golden half-moons are considered lucky because of their resemblance to gold ingots. Instead of wheat flour wrappers, a tiny omelette encases a juicy pork and chive filling.
Are you supposed to eat dumplings on Lunar New Year? ›
The act of making and eating dumplings during this festival is a familial activity, embodying the hopes for a prosperous and fortunate year ahead. It's also believed that the more dumplings one eats during the Lunar New Year celebrations, the more money and good luck one will have in the new year.
What is the etiquette for dumplings? ›
As a sign of respect, always pour tea for your companions first. Always move an item from the communal dish to your own before eating using a serving utensil or the top ends of your chopsticks. Do not eat directly from the steamer basket or shared plate. Dim sum is for sharing!
What's the difference between potstickers and dumplings? ›
Potstickers are always dumplings, but not all dumplings are potstickers. The biggest difference between these two are how they are cooked, but the cooking method has also changed the kinds of ingredients and preparation of both potstickers and dumplings over time. Potstickers are dumplings that are also pan-fried.
Are dumplings Chinese or Japanese? ›
Its Japanese cousin is the gyoza. What's the difference between a jiaozi and gyoza? Turns out the two have a few key differences despite being quite similar. Originating in China, the dumpling, more commonly called the pot sticker, is made of wheat flour dough wrapper filled with meat and/or vegetables.
Are Chinese dumplings healthy? ›
“If it's fairly lean meat to start with, the dumpling is going to be quite low in fat in that sense,” Austin said. The same goes for frozen dumplings you buy from the supermarket. As long as they're not pre-deep fried and contain whole, healthy ingredients they are an okay option, according to Austin.
At Chinese New Year, dumplings symbolize money or wealth. So eating dumplings is supposed to bring you wealth in the coming year.
Is it good luck to eat dumplings? ›
The reason that dumplings are a lucky food for Chinese New Year is because they symbolize wealth. Why? They look like boat-shaped Chinese gold and silver ingots! The idea is that the more dumplings you eat during the Spring Festival, the more money you may make throughout the year.
What is the purpose of dumpling festival? ›
The holiday commemorates Qu Yuan who was the beloved prime minister of the southern Chinese state of Chu during the Warring States Period, about 600 B.C. to 200 B.C., and is celebrated by holding dragon boat races and eating sticky rice dumplings called zongzi, which were southern Chinese traditions.
Why do people put coins inside the dumplings on new year's Eve? ›
Whoever finds the dumpling with the coin has good luck and will be lucky in the upcoming year. At GSL's party, fruit snacks were used instead of coins for lucky dumplings. In Chinese culture, chopsticks symbolize gentleness and benevolence.
What is the Chinese symbol for dumpling? ›
饺子 : dumpling, pot-s... : jiǎo zi | Definition | Mandarin Chinese Pinyin English Dictionary | Yabla Chinese.
What does it mean when you eat dumplings? ›
At Chinese New Year, dumplings symbolize money or wealth. So eating dumplings is supposed to bring you wealth in the coming year.
Why do Chinese celebrate dumpling festival? ›
The best-known legend of the celebration, is the commemoration of 屈原 “Qu Yuan”, a third-century poet and patriotic statesman during China's Warring States period (475-221 BC). Qu Yuan committed suicide in Miluo River when the war was lost.
Why do people eat dumplings during the Lantern Festival? ›
Thus, consuming tangyuan during the Lantern Festival symbolizes the reunion of family members and loved ones. Additionally, the round shape of tangyuan is associated with the full moon, symbolizing the wholeness of the family and the hope for a bright future.
