Published by: Keshia Gwyneth Esposa
Date Published: Feb 17, 2026
Time Published: 12:19 PM
As January ends and February begins, the atmosphere slowly changes. Stores glow in red and gold, lanterns hang by doors and windows, and families begin preparing for a celebration filled with hope and tradition. Ordinary days seem brighter, as a new countdown begins—not just for another date on the calendar, but for a meaningful new beginning.
Rooted in centuries of belief and prosperity, China has shared traditions that continue to influence countries like the Philippines. Today, many Filipinos celebrate two New Years—the global New Year in January and the Lunar New Year that welcomes fresh luck, abundance, and unity. It is a time when families gather, greet one another with “Gong Xi Fa Cai,” and fill their homes with symbols of good fortune.
As the celebration nears, preparations quietly unfold. A glow of red by the doorway, something sweet and something long on the table, a few envelopes set aside, and distant drums ready to echo through the streets—are you ready for it all? To help you welcome the year with prosperity and joy, here are five must-haves for your Chinese New Year celebration—essentials that will make it both memorable and meaningful.
TIKOY
It is common knowledge that when February arrives, it is not only Chinese New Year season—it is finally Tikoy season. This beloved Filipino-Chinese rice cake, known in China as Nian Gao, fills homes and markets with its sweet, familiar presence. From classic brown sugar to peanut or strawberry flavors, Tikoy is more than a festive treat—it is a symbol of sweetness and luck as we welcome another year.
Its name comes from the Chinese words meaning “year higher,” reflecting the hope that life will rise to greater heights. Because of this, Tikoy has become a symbol of growth, progress, and new beginnings. Each slice shared at the table carries a quiet wish—that dreams will grow bigger, goals will come closer, and the coming year will be better than the last.
Made from simple ingredients like water, glutinous rice flour, sugar, and your preferred flavoring, Tikoy is easy to prepare yet rich in meaning. Many Filipinos add their own twist by dipping it in egg and frying it until golden, blending tradition with local taste. Pair it with another Filipino delicacy, and you can celebrate Chinese New Year in your own way—sweet, hopeful, and full of aspirations for the year ahead.
PANCIT
Who would have thought that one of the most common dishes served at every Filipino gathering would also hold a special place during Chinese New Year? Of course—almost all of us. Pancit, in its many beloved versions, becomes more than just comfort food during the celebration; it becomes a symbol of long life and continuous blessings.
The tradition traces back to Chinese influence, with the name linked to the Hokkien phrase “pian e sit,” meaning something conveniently cooked. Served uncut and stretched across the plate, the long noodles represent longevity. To cut them is to symbolically shorten life, which is why they are carefully prepared and shared whole—each strand carrying wishes for health and many years ahead.
Simple in ingredients yet rich in meaning, pancit combines noodles, vegetables, and flavor into one hearty dish. It is quick to prepare but filled with nourishment—just like the many blessings hoped for in the coming year. And once you are full from these festive plates, perhaps it is time to open something else during the celebration… not just gifts, but the lucky red envelopes waiting to be received.
ANG PAO
Perhaps the best gift of all is one that brings financial blessing while also wishing safety for the year ahead. That is the meaning behind Ya Sui Qian, more commonly known as the red envelopes or ang pao. Rooted in Chinese tradition, these envelopes are more than money neatly tucked inside—they are gestures of protection, luck, and goodwill passed from one hand to another.
Giving and receiving them, however, comes with thoughtful customs. The bills placed inside should be crisp and new, and the amount often depends on the recipient. Numbers containing four are avoided, as they are associated with misfortune. When receiving an envelope, it should be accepted with both hands as a sign of respect and gratitude, and opened privately rather than in front of the giver.
Despite these careful practices, the true purpose of ang pao remains simple: to share blessings in a sincere way. It is a quiet wish for someone’s safety, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year. Beyond its monetary value, it carries warmth and intention—sometimes even enough to light up a home, perhaps with a glowing red lantern to welcome brighter days ahead.
RED LANTERNS
A design that brightens any space while inviting good fortune—red lanterns do exactly that. Once used in ancient China to honor Buddhism and its sacred spaces, these lanterns have grown beyond simple decoration. Today, they stand as symbols of renewal, hope, and positive energy as a new year begins.
Red in color and round in shape, they represent harmony, completeness, and unity. Their glow reflects the warmth of togetherness shared by families and friends during the celebration. Hung by doors, windows, or along streets, they quietly reinforce continuity and shared blessings for the months ahead.
Though simple in form, red lanterns invite creativity across regions—some adorned with elegant calligraphy, others detailed with dragon motifs, and many lovingly handmade from cloth or paper. Each one carries a shared desire for growth and prosperity. And if the glow of lanterns is not lively enough, perhaps all it takes is the rhythmic beat of drums and the grand movement of a dragon weaving through the crowd.
DRAGON DANCE
The grandest spectacle of them all takes us beyond the warmth of home and into the bustling life of the city, where communities gather to witness the dragon dance. What began as a ritual to chase away evil spirits has transformed into a vibrant performance, blending tradition, artistry, and celebration, all while reflecting the hopes and aspirations of those who watch.
Each dragon is a tapestry of color, each hue carrying a distinct wish: green for a bountiful harvest, yellow to honor the empire, gold or silver to attract prosperity, and red to ignite excitement and invite good fortune. Every movement of the dragon is purposeful, weaving intentions for a year of abundance and joy.
To be touched by the dragon is considered lucky, yet simply witnessing its performance is already a blessing—the longer the dragon, the more fortune it is believed to bring to audience and performers alike. For this reason, the dragon dance has remained a central and eagerly anticipated tradition in every Chinese New Year celebration.
Finished the list? The night has come, and fireworks erupt across the sky. As midnight strikes, we don’t just welcome a new year—we set our intentions for a better one.
In simple ways—sharing sweet treats that promise luck, long noodles that symbolize longevity, crisp red envelopes of blessings, glowing lanterns lighting our homes, and the rhythmic sweep of dragons through the streets—we invite prosperity, joy, and unity into our lives. These moments are for us, yes, but also for those we hold close, weaving connection into every celebration.
So step forward, embrace the energy of the season, hang your lanterns, share your ang pao, savor the flavors, and lose yourself in the dance of colors and movement. The Chinese New Year is not just a grand event—it is a chance to celebrate, to manifest, and to make every blessing count.
REFERENCES:
[1] Varona, R. A. (2019, February 6). The story of Tikoy: A lunar new year delicacy turned Filipino favorite - eat & drink. Asian Journal News. https://asianjournal.com/life-style/eat-drink/the-story-of-tikoy-a-lunar-new-year-delicacy-turned-filipino-favorite/
[2] China highlights. Red Envelope: Significance, Amount, and How to Give. (n.d.). https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/red-envelop.htm
[3] Rao, A. (2026, February 9). Why red lanterns are used in Chinese New Year. Party Ideas & Guides - party.alibaba.com. https://party.alibaba.com/newyear/why-red-lanterns-chinese-new-year
[4] China highlights. China Highlights. (n.d.). https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/special-report/chinese-new-year/new-year-dragon-dance.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment