Texas A&M University (TAMU) NFSC300 Religious & Ethnic Foods Exam 2 Practice

During Chinese New Year, certain foods are consumed for their symbolic meanings, particularly those associated with wealth and prosperity. Dumplings represent wealth because their shape resembles ancient Chinese currency, which signifies the potential for good financial fortune in the coming year. Fish is another important dish, as the word for fish (鱼) sounds like the word for surplus or abundance, making it a symbol of prosperity. Rice cakes, or 年糕 (niángāo), are significant because the word “年” (nián) means year, and “糕” (gāo) sounds like tall or high, suggesting growth or progress in the year ahead.

The other choices, while they may include popular foods, do not carry the same wealth-related symbolism as those found in the correct answer. For instance, while noodles and dumplings are indeed festive, they don't share the same emphasis on wealth as the combination in the correct choice. Similarly, spring rolls and sushi, while enjoyed during various celebrations, aren’t typically tied to prosperity in the context of Chinese New Year. Chicken wings and ramen, while delicious, do not hold the cultural significance associated with the traditional foods celebrated during this festive time.