In China, foods are given special meanings. Therefore, a type of food can only be eaten by some certain individuals[个人] on specific occasion[场合], or must be served at special events.
　　In some regions, an honored guest usually would be offered a snapper[甲鱼]’s head, or shell, to greet him as a sign of warm welcome. Noodles are a symbol of longevity[长命] in Chinese culture. They are as much a part of the Chinese birthday celebration as a birthday cake with candles is in many countries. The elderly would have a bowl of Long Life Noodles in the expectation of a healthy life. Since noodles do symbolize[象征] long life, it is considered very unlucky to cut up a strand[线].
　　Eggs hold a special symbolic significance[意义] in many cultures, and China is no exception. The Chinese believe that eggs symbolize fertility[多产]. After the birth of a child, parents may hold a Red Egg and Ginger Party, where hard-boiled eggs are served to announce the birth. Egg rolls or spring rolls resemble the shape of a bar of gold. Thus, they are often served at New Year, as a symbol of wealth and prosperity[繁荣] in the coming year.
　　Fish also play a large role in festive celebrations.The Chinese word for “fish”sounds like the words for both “wish”and “abundance[充裕].”As a result, on New Year’s Eve it is customary[习惯的] to serve fish for dinner, symbolizing the desire for accumulation[积聚] of wealth, and for prosperity in the coming year. Furthermore[此外], the fish should be served whole, with the head and tail still attached, symbolizing a good beginning and ending of the coming year.
　　
　　在中国，食物常被赋予特殊的意义。因此，一些食物只能在某特殊场合上让某些特别的人食用，或者必须在某种特别庆典上才能吃得上。
　　在某些地区，人们通常会以甲鱼头或贝壳款待尊敬的宾客，因为这些食物代表着对客人的热情欢迎。在中国文化里，面条有长寿之意。它们在中国庆生会上是不可或缺的一部分，这好比在许多别的国家，人们用插着蜡烛的生日蛋糕来庆祝生日。老人会吃上一碗长寿面，寓意健康长寿。因为面条象征着长寿，所以切断一束面条会被认为很不吉利。
　　蛋在很多文化中都有特殊的象征意义，在中国也不例外。中国人相信蛋象征着多子多福。小孩出生后，父母会搞一个庆祝会，会上有水煮红鸡蛋和酸姜供客人食用，以宣布孩子的诞生。蛋卷和春卷形似金块，因此，人们常在春节里食用，象征来年财富旺盛。
　　鱼也在喜庆节日上饰演重要角色。汉语的“鱼”字跟“愿”和“余”在发音上很相近。因此，习惯上年夜饭都有鱼，以此象征财富有余以及来年繁荣昌盛。另外，鱼要连头尾一起整条上菜，寓意来年从头到尾顺顺利利。