Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year or the Lunar New Year, is the most important festival in China. It marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar, and this year falls on Jan. 25.

Traditionally, Spring Festival lasts for 16 days from Chinese New Year's Eve until the Lantern Festival, but nowadays people in China generally celebrate over seven days.

During the holiday, people get to relax with their families, enjoy sumptuous meals and have fun together. A lot of care and thought is put into the dishes eaten during this time. However, the sheer size of the country means that cooking methods and dishes vary a lot between different regions. Generally though, most people believe that New Year dishes should all have one thing in common – they should have auspicious connotations.

Here are 10 of the most popular foods found on the dinner table during Spring Festival, each with positive connotations.

# Fish

In China, fish symbolizes an increase or surplus in wealth and prosperity. It is served complete with head and tail, and is usually either braised or steamed. In some regions, people will cook a whole fish, but only eat half to further symbolize surplus.

# Meatballs

People in China like to eat round food such as meatballs, because the Chinese word "round" also means "reunion." Four-joy Meatballs, or meatballs braised in soybean sauce, is a must-have during Spring Festival. It has a very auspicious name, with the four joys referring to luck, wealth, longevity and happiness.

# Prawns or shrimps

Prawns and shrimps are commonly eaten during important occasions in China. Some people believe this is because their name in Chinese sounds similar to the word for "laugh." Prawns and shrimps can be either braised, deep-fried or boiled.

# Pig's trotters

During Spring Festival, it is tradition to eat the front pair of pig's trotters, as it implies digging for more money. They are usually served braised or as a cold dish.

# Spare ribs

Spare ribs are a very popular dish on Spring Festival menus because of their resemblance to a string of firecrackers. They can be cooked in various ways to produce a wide range of different flavors.

# Chicken

Chicken symbolizes the phoenix on Chinese menus, so it represents reunion and rebirth. Like fish, it's best served whole with head and feet. Chicken is a perennial favorite during Spring Festival.

# Noodles

Long noodles are a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture. The noodles enjoyed during Spring Festival should be even longer than usual and shouldn't be cut. They can be either boiled and served in a bowl, or pan-fried and served on a plate.

# Glutinous rice balls

Glutinous rice balls are typically eaten during the Lantern Festival as the snack is traditionally associated with family reunion and togetherness. Traditional fillings include sesame, peanuts, hawthorn and red bean paste, but innovative fillings such as chocolate, mocha and blueberries have become popular in recent years. Generally, they are simply boiled, but they can also be deep-fried.

# Glutinous rice cake

Glutinous rice cake is a much-loved traditional Chinese New Year food. As its Chinese name sounds similar to the words "rising higher," people cook it in the hopes of getting a higher income or a promotion in the coming year. It is usually served steamed, deep-fried or pan-fried.

# Dumplings

Dumplings are one of the most popular foods in China, especially in the north where they are eaten on almost every traditional occasion. Their shape is auspicious as they look like Chinese silver ingots – boat-shaped, oval and turned-up at both ends. Dumplings can be either boiled, steamed or deep-fried.