10 Lunar New Year Etiquette Tips You Need to Know

Red symbolizes good luck and prosperity. More than mere decoration, it plays a prominent role in the Lunar New Year tradition of “red pocket” envelopes, which are money gifts representing tokens of blessing and abundance.

Gold, red’s regal companion, traces its significance back to Imperial China when emperors adorned themselves in gold during ceremonies and celebrations. Today, this ancient association with power and prosperity continues, particularly in the gift of gold jewelry—each piece carries centuries of cultural meaning and promises of good fortune.

One of the first things I noticed while dining at Shang Palace was the thoughtful integration of Chinese symbolism through design. Red and gold, those harbingers of good fortune danced through every detail: from damask-clothed tables to hand-painted walls, gold threads weaved through the custom carpets underfoot, the crimson menus to porcelain vases bearing ancient motifs. The space, divided by masterfully carved mahogany screens, created an intimate dining alcove where crystal chandeliers cast their light on gilded accents.

Dining etiquette in China reflects social hierarchies and culture. Each factor contributes to an aspect of the table setting, from the shape of the table to the arrangement of each guest’s seat. Chinese dining tables are quintessentially round. This unique characteristic, including a rotating lazy Susan in the center, allows guests to enjoy bites from each dish without reaching over others. It serves both practical innovation and cultural metaphor—its circular design manifests the feng shui principles of unity.

Chopstick etiquette is another must-know when enjoying a Chinese meal. Avoid placing chopsticks upright in rice as it evokes the image of incense sticks at funeral ceremonies.  Serving spoons should also be placed next to each dish, though it’s common for guests to serve with chopsticks.

These thoughtful elements—easy-to-reach rotating tables, chopsticks, chopstick rests, and serving spoons— all perfectly incorporated into the Shang Palace’s authentic dining experience.

Whether for a business meeting or family dinner, arriving on time or, preferably early, is a marker of respect for those attending in the Chinese culture. Meals for celebrations and holidays begin precisely on time, so making other people wait for you and arriving late is considered rude and disrespectful.

It’s customary for guests to arrive a few minutes early, so as a host, be ready well in advance. Punctuality is rooted in multiple facets of Chinese culture, especially during special events and occasions. So don’t be late!

Those attending a Lunar New Year dinner should show gratitude and respect for their host by offering a gift. Items like boxes of fruits, red pockets, alcohol, and/or high-quality teas make excellent gifts for Lunar New Year’s celebrations.

Presentation is just as important; gifts must be neatly wrapped and presented with two hands to show respect, especially to the elderly, followed by words of good wishes for the new year. Providing gifts in specific numbers is also essential, as certain numbers carry bad luck. In particular, the numbers four and six are considered bad luck.

Early Lunar New Year celebrations in China featured harvest offerings to help bring in abundant crops for the year. During the festivities, people presented various dishes to their ancestors, and since then, food has remained a significant aspect of Lunar New Year celebrations.

Lucky dishes, for example, include fish, as the Chinese word for “fish” resembles the word for “abundance.” Dumplings are a staple for the holiday, and it is believed that the dumpling shape is because it looks like gold ingots. Dating back to the Han Dynasty, long noodles are also important as they carry deep cultural significance in Chinese tradition. Their uncut strands symbolize the wish for an extended and prosperous life.

“You’ll find many of these auspicious dishes on our Lunar New Year menu,” explains Chef Xu. “Our tasting menu is designed to celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday traditions with dishes like Lo Hei with Bresse poultry, Siu Mai with blue lobster and Kristal caviar, and Wagyu A4 Char Siu beef—each symbolizing prosperity, good fortune, and unity.”

In Chinese households, dumpling making is a performance art. It transforms kitchens into theaters where traditional recipes and techniques pass from one generation to the next. This ritual takes on more profound significance during the Lunar New Year as families gather to create these edible symbols of prosperity and unity. Each fold represents a connection to ancestry, and every pleat carries meaning and stories passed down through generations.

“My culinary journey is deeply rooted in traditions passed down by my grandmother,” reflects Chef Tony Xu. “She instilled in me a love for cooking, generosity, and the joy of sharing. These lessons influence how I approach every dish, even in French fine dining. While I reimagine traditional dishes like Mapo Tofu with Normand beef or create modern interpretations of classics, the fundamental lessons of my grandmother’s kitchen remain: It’s about respecting ingredients, understanding tradition, and most importantly, cooking with heart.”

In Chinese dining, numbers orchestrate more than mere quantity. The careful counting of dishes transforms a meal from simple sustenance into an exercise in good fortune, with eight plates considered particularly auspicious due to their phonetic connection to prosperity in Chinese.

Equally important is the abundance of food served. Avoid wasting food. As a guest, finishing your plate is more than good manners—a sign of respect for the host.

Just as seating is meaningful in Chinese dining etiquette, so is the order in which the Lunar New Year meal is served. Age is wisdom, and wisdom demands respect. The seating arrangement and serving order are not random choices but deliberate expressions of familial hierarchy. When the first dishes are laid out, there is an unwritten yet universally understood rule that you are not to eat until the eldest of the group takes the first bite.  The art of serving itself becomes a language. Presenting a dish with both hands is a must and a sign of respect.

Seating protocol dates back to ancient times when etiquette demanded that guests be seated based on social hierarchy.  The guest of honor, traditionally the eldest family member, is strategically positioned facing east or near the entrance, symbolizing a connection between the ancestral past and the future. At the same time, the host is usually seated at a central location and/or near the kitchen.

Just as a guest’s arrival during Lunar New Year is significant, so is a guest’s departure.  Hosts typically pack the leftover food into takeaway containers, a deliberate move signifying that blessings should not be confined to the first meal.  It is also a way of wishing for continued abundance.  The farewell ritual is completed with the host seeing their guests to the door, a sign of respect and genuine gratitude that reinforces the community’s importance.

“Always toast with intention,” Chef Xu advises, “and allow the gathering with friends and family to fill you with luck and blessings for the coming year.”