According to the Chinese calendar, the year ends on January 27, 2025. Today, Thai-Chinese people will go shopping for worship-related materials to prepare their worship table tomorrow.

        Chinese New Year offerings include meat, desserts, fruits, and beverages like water, tea, and liquor, each having its own auspicious meaning.

        Fruit on the worship table is always in odd numbers, such 3, 5, 7, and 9. The major fruits are oranges, bananas, and red apples. White or black fruits, such as cherries and black grapes, are not typically used.

        Fruits with fortunate meanings during Chinese New Year include orange, which symbolizes good luck, fortune, money, and happiness.

        Bananas. The banana resembles a hand used to bring in money. It also has an auspicious golden yellow hue.

        Red grapes represent prosperity. Grapes are bundles of fruit that symbolize a large family.

        Red apples are symbols of good health.

        Pineapple is known as "ang lai" in Chinese, which signifies "good fortune."

        Dragon fruit symbolizes abundance and good fortune. It has a favorable name and color, especially red flesh.

Written, translated, and illustrated by: Ratchanok T.