THE TRUE MEANING BEHIND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CANDY BOX

Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in Singapore and most of Asia. Lasting for 15 days, it’s the time of year to visit family and friends, clean the house, tie up any loose ends and start fresh. Flowers, lucky plants, lanterns and auspicious red couplets decorate the house. It certainly is the most festive and happy time of year.

The Candy Box, also known as the ‘Tray of Togetherness’ plays a significant role in the celebration process.  It is a lovely (Red!) box with compartments that you fill up with a variety of snacks like nuts, seeds, candy and dried fruits. You don't really see these type of candies the rest of the year, but as Chinese New Year comes around they are really being sold everywhere!

When friends and family visit, you offer them the candy box along with your blessings.

The fun part is that each snack has a hidden meaning. So the treat chosen will be the blessing desired for the year. You can put anything you want in the Complete Box.  Below are the 10 most popular snacks you see in the Complete Box during CNY.  In no particular order, here goes:

1. Two Tangerines (on top of candy box): Extra Blessings, Good Fortune
2. Dried Candied Lotus Root: Strong Family Ties
3. Dried Candied Coconut: Friendship and “Father Son” Unity.
4. Red Melon Seeds: Happiness, Joy, Honesty, and Sincerity
5. Watermelon Seeds: Fertility or many offspring
6. Dried Candied Melon: Growth and Health
7. Ginger: Longevity
8. Pistachios: The Chinese name has it literally translated as ‘Happy Nut’ Smiles all around! Happiness.
9. Candy: Money and Sweetness of Life
10. Kumquats: Prosperity

The Chinese New Year Candy Box is a wonderful tradition. Want to read more about about Chinese New Year - Symbols and Customs? Find out more here