2021 is the Year of the Ox according to the Chinese zodiac. This is a Year of Ox, starting from Feb. 12, 2021 (Chinese New Year) and lasting to Jan. 31, 2022.
In Chinese culture, Ox is a faithful friend that made great contributions to the development of society. Like the ox, people born in the Year of the Ox are industrious, cautious, hold their faith firmly, and always glad to offer help.
The New Year’s Eve dinner is extremely important to the Chinese. All family members must come back. Even if they can’t, the rest of the family will leave their spot empty and place a spare set of utensils for them. As with Chinese New Year activities and decorations, the dishes are created to give blessings for the next year. Every region has different customs and common dishes. In the northern part of China, where I was born, dumplings are the must-have dish on the table. In addition to the joy of eating delicious dumplings, the making process is a family bonding activity too. During the New Year preparations, every member of the family participates and wraps dumplings. The memory that my sister and I made dumplings with my parents and cooked the dumplings in the boiling pot is so fresh, it feels like just happened yesterday.