Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one.
In the 12 year cycle, this year (4710 on the Chinese calendar) begins on January 23rd, and is the Year of the Dragon. The dragon is one of 12 animal signs in the Chinese zodiac, but it outranks all others. Paradoxically, it represents power and unmitigating authority on the one hand but benevolence and blessings on the other.
The Chinese New Year celebration is a 15-day event that starts with the new moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later.
The malevolent, destructive power of Western dragons may inspire fear and loathing, but in Chinese lore dragons are fierce and frightful because - like the emperors they have represented - they offer protection and security while also possessing mythical powers to ward off evil spirits and disasters.
Dragon years should be filled with happiness, security, abundance and prosperity. But this year is dominated by two elements - water and earth. Since these elements are eternally locked in a destructive relationship, the Year of the Dragon will not be without conflict and natural disasters.
The Dragon is associated with water and San Francisco had its first, long awaited rain for the year so that part of the Dragon year predictions is proving accurate.
In San Francisco's Chinatown, everybody is getting ready for the celebration - the stores are overflowing with everything, from firecrackers to pastries and auspicious foods.
Food is an important part of the celebration (as it is with any celebration in any culture). The most popular symbolic foods are:
Bamboo shoots - wealth
Black moss seaweed - wealth
Dried Bean Curd - happiness (note: fresh tofu is not served because the color white symbolizes death and misfortune in Chinese culture).
Chicken - happiness and marriage (especially when served with "dragon foods," such as lobster. Family reunion (if served whole)
Eggs - fertility
Egg Rolls - wealth
Fish served whole - prosperity
Chinese garlic chives - everlasting, a long life
Lychee nuts - close family ties
Noodles - A long life
Oranges - wealth
Peanuts - a long life
Pomelo - abundance, prosperity, having children
Seeds - lotus seeds, watermelon seeds, etc. - having a large number of children
Tangerines - luck
Everything you wanted to know about Dragons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragon
Tomorrow - how to make your own "symbolic foods" to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
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