The New Year celebration is lavish with good reason - it invokes the God of Prosperity to usher in wealth and happiness with the new year. Chinese custom calls for all debts to be paid off before the old year ends - to avoid shame and misfortune. Custom also requires a clean house - sweeping away bad luck and sweeping in good fortune. A special red envelope called hong bao, with a gift of crisp dollar bills inside. The color red is everywhere - it represents happiness.
Gold represents prosperity.
Made of rice flour and brown sugar, it is sweet, sticky and round in shape. It is believed that whoever eats Nian Gao will have a better life or achieve a higher position in the new year. Its stickiness suggests the glue that holds families and friendships together, and its sweet flavor promises a sweet life. This cake can be found seasonally at Chinese bakeries and grocery stores. The Chinese celebrate two birthdays.