Picture from Chinesenewyear.co.nz

(ChinaDaily)As the Year of the Ox approaches, Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, has been getting into the holiday spirit.

On Jan 30, the China Cultural Center in Wellington and the Wellington Multicultural Council hosted a large-scale performance to mark Chinese New Year at the National Museum of New Zealand.

随着牛年新年的临近，新西兰首都惠林顿也逐渐进入了节日的氛围。在1月30日的时候，中国文化中心与惠林顿跨文化中心一同举办了一场大型演出活动，来庆祝中国新年，演出于国家博物馆展开。

In China, the Spring Festival celebration is a continuous process, starting from the 23rd or 24th of the 12th lunar month. People often worship the kitchen god, clean their houses, do their shopping and put up Spring Festival couplets (blessing words posted on door frames) until New Year's Eve on the lunar calendar.

在中国，新年会从农历腊月23或24号开始持续的进行庆祝。人们会祭祀灶神，打扫房屋，提前进行采购，然后在年三十之前在门口贴上对联和福。

In addition to staying up late on New Year's Eve, having an elaborate dinner is also key to the Spring Festival celebration. The New Year's Eve dinner has been manifested in different ways around China.

除了要熬夜跨年这一传统项目外，一顿精心准备的年夜饭也是春节必不可少的庆祝活动。至于年夜饭怎么做，吃什么，全国各地则有着不同的偏爱。

Let’s take a look at some essential foods for Chinese New Year’s Eve.

那么，就来一起看看年三十晚上的热门食物把。

Dumplings

Dumplings are a very common dish for northern China, symbolizing reunion and fortune. Dumplings' shape resembles gold ingots from ancient China. For Chinese people, eating some dumplings means bringing more treasure and wealth in the coming New Year.

饺子

饺子是一样中国北方常见的食物，寓意着团圆和富贵。饺子的形状像中国古代的金元宝。人们认为吃饺子有着让来年财源滚滚的含义。

Sweet dumplings

Sweet dumplings are made from glutinous rice flour. The fillings can vary from region to region. The round shape of the sweet dumplings symbolizes "reunion".

汤圆

汤圆皮是用糯米面粉制作的，馅子则根据地方不同有着区别。汤圆的“圆”象征着团圆。

Fish

"Fish" in Chinese sounds similar to the character for "prosperity", symbolizing an abundant and comfortable life. Most families will have fish for their New Year's Eve dinner.

鱼

鱼与余字谐音，寓意年年有余，象征着富足和舒适的生活。很多家庭都会在年夜饭的餐桌上准备鱼。

Eight treasure rice cake

The eight treasure rice cake is a quintessential Chinese New Year dessert. Many families across the nation choose to finish their meal with this dessert.

八宝饭

八宝饭是一道十分经典的年夜饭菜品。全国各地许多家庭都会在年夜饭上八宝饭这道甜点。