Is there any major holiday that isn't celebrated with a special festive food? Given the important role food plays in Chinese culture, it is not surprising that many foods have symbolic meaning. The symbolic significance of a food may be based on its appearance or on how the Chinese word for it sounds. Here are several symbolic Chinese foods:

哪個特殊的中國節日會沒有美食的陪伴呢？美食在中華文化中扮演著重要角色，也自然地有了象征意義。食物的象征意義可以來源于外形本身或者名字發音。以下是一些中華文化中極具象征性的食物：

1. Eggs

1. 雞蛋

Eggs hold a special symbolic significance in many cultures, and China is no exception. The Chinese believe eggs symbolize fertility. After a baby is born, parents may hold a "red egg and ginger party," where they pass out hard boiled eggs to announce the birth. (In some regions of China the number of eggs presented depends on the sex of the child: an even number for a girl, and an odd number if a boy has been born).

2. Noodles

雞蛋在很多文化中都有著特殊的象征意義，在中國也不例外。中國人相信雞蛋象征著繁衍。嬰兒出生后，父母可以組織一個“紅雞蛋和生姜宴”，傳遞煮好的雞蛋以宣布新生兒的出生。（在中國有些地區，拿出的雞蛋個數代表著孩子的性別：偶數代表女孩，奇數代表男孩。）

Noodles are a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture. They are as much a part of a Chinese birthday celebration as a birthday cake with lit candles is in many countries. Since noodles do symbolize long life, it is considered very unlucky to cut up a strand.

2. 面條

3. Fish

面條在中華文化中是長壽的象征。在中式的生日慶祝中，面條的角色不亞于很多國家點著蠟燭的生日蛋糕。鑒于面條象征長壽，切斷面條被看作是非常不吉利的做法。

Although westerners sometimes balk at the sight of a entire fish lying on a plate, in China a fish served whole is a symbol of prosperity. In fact, at a banquet it is customary to serve the whole fish last, pointed toward the guest of honor. Fish also has symbolic significance because the Chinese word for fish, yu, sounds like the word for riches or abundance, and it is believed that eating fish will help your wishes come true in the year to come.

3. 魚

4. Duck

盡管西方人看到一整條魚躺在盤子里有時會猶豫不前，然而在中國，端上的整條魚是富饒的象征。事實上，宴會的習俗是最后端上整魚，魚頭對著貴賓。魚的象征意義也來自于中文中魚的發音，和表示富有和充裕的“余”同音，而且人們相信吃魚會讓他們在來年心想事成。

4. 鴨

If you are ever invited to a Chinese wedding banquet, don't be surprised to spot a mouthwatering platter of Peking duck on the banquet table. Ducks represent fidelity in Chinese culture. Also, red dishes are featured at weddings as red is the color of happiness. (You'll find them served at New Year's banquets for the same reason.)

如果你被邀請參加中式婚宴，看到宴桌上讓人垂涎三尺的北京烤鴨不要大驚小怪噢。鴨子在中華文化中象征忠誠。而且，紅色菜肴是婚禮的特色，因為紅色是象征幸福的顏色。（同樣的原因，你會發現它們也出現在新年宴席上。）

5. Chicken

5. 雞

In Chinese culture, chicken forms part of the symbolism of the dragon and phoenix. At a Chinese wedding, chicken's feet (sometimes referred to as phoenix feet) are often served with dragon foods such as lobster. Chicken is also popular at Chinese New Year, symbolizing a good marriage and the coming together of families (serving the bird whole emphasizes family unity).

在中華文化中，雞是組成龍和鳳凰的一部分。在中式婚禮上，雞爪（有時被稱為鳳爪）通常和與龍有關的食物（比如龍蝦）一起被奉上 。雞也是中國新年慶祝的一部分，象征婚姻美滿和家庭團聚（整雞更強調家庭團圓）。

6. Seeds (lotus seeds, watermelon seeds, etc)

6. 種子（蓮子，西瓜籽等）

Visit an Asian bakery during the Chinese New Year, and you're likely to find a wide assortment of snacks with different types of seeds in them. The seed-filled treats represent bearing many children in Chinese culture.

在中國春節期間去糕點房看看，你很可能就看到種類繁多的中國小吃，由不同種類的種子制成。包著種子的小吃在中國文化中象征多子。

7. Fruit - Tangerines, Oranges and Pomelos

7. 水果——桔子，橙子和柚子

Tangerines and oranges are passed out freely during Chinese New Year as the words for tangerine and orange sound like luck and wealth, respectively. As for pomelos, this large ancestor of the grapefruit signifies abundance, as the Chinese word for pomelo sounds like the word for "to have."

中國春節時候人們會贈送桔子和橙子，因為這兩種水果的說法分別象征著吉祥和財富。 大個頭柚子是葡萄柚的原種，象征著豐富，因為其中文發音和“有”接近。

8. Cake

8. 糕點

And what about the sweet, steamed cakes that are so popular during the Chinese New Year season? Cakes such as Sticky Rice Cake have symbolic significance on many levels. Their sweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life, while the layers symbolize rising abundance for the coming year. Finally, the round shape signifies family reunion.

中國春節期間廣受歡迎的蒸糕又象征什么呢？像糯米糕之類的糕點在很多方面都有著象征意義。糕點本身的甜味象征著富足甜美的生活，而多層的糕點結構又象征著來年更上一層樓的富有。還有，圓圓的外形代表著家庭團聚。

9. Don't Forget the Vegetables!

9. 還有蔬菜噢

Chinese garlic chives symbolize eternity, while cone-shaped winter bamboo shoots are a symbol of wealth.

在中國，韭菜象征著永恒，錐形的冬筍象征財富。

Do not disregard the dish—it is more than just, simply food combination. Bear in mind the culture elements—appreciate the blessing within.

不要認為菜肴只是簡單的食物搭配而忽視它。牢記美食中蘊含的文化元素，感受食物被賦予的美好祝福吧。

10.Symbolic Recipes

10. 特色中國菜

Here are recipes featuring symbolic Chinese food for you to enjoy:

以下為您奉上極具象征意義的特色中國菜，盡情享用吧：

Kung Pao Chicken

宮保雞丁

Longevity Noodles

長壽面

Peking Duck

北京烤鴨

Red Cooked Chicken or Soy Sauce Chicken


茶香雞或者醬油雞

Sweet and Sour Fish

糖醋魚

Tea Eggs

茶葉蛋