<strong>Lunar New Year candy boxes:</strong> Every Lunar New Year, Chinese families stock their red and gold candy boxes with specific "fortune" treats, which symbolize wealth, happiness and luck. Click on to find out the meanings behind some of the more popular inclusions.
Lunar New Year candy boxes: Every Lunar New Year, Chinese families stock their red and gold candy boxes with specific "fortune" treats, which symbolize wealth, happiness and luck. Click on to find out the meanings behind some of the more popular inclusions.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Candies: </strong>During the Lunar New Year holiday,<strong> </strong>children (and adults) are actually encouraged to binge on sugar. According to tradition, candies symbolize the sweetness of life. <br />
Candies: During the Lunar New Year holiday, children (and adults) are actually encouraged to binge on sugar. According to tradition, candies symbolize the sweetness of life.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Coconuts:</strong> The Cantonese word for coconuts sounds like the word for grandfather-son in both Cantonese and Mandarin. It symbolizes strong family bonds and a big family.
Coconuts: The Cantonese word for coconuts sounds like the word for grandfather-son in both Cantonese and Mandarin. It symbolizes strong family bonds and a big family.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Cracked sesame balls: </strong>Made from flour and sugar then dipped in sesame seeds and deep-fried, these sesame balls are a popular treat during Lunar New Year. The cracks -- the result of deep-frying -- look like a smile. They're also nicknamed "laughing dates."
Cracked sesame balls: Made from flour and sugar then dipped in sesame seeds and deep-fried, these sesame balls are a popular treat during Lunar New Year. The cracks -- the result of deep-frying -- look like a smile. They're also nicknamed "laughing dates."
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Carrots:</strong> The Cantonese word for "carrot" is pronounced "gam seon." Gam sounds like the word for gold, hence represents wealth -- even though the "gam" in the words for carrot, kumquat and gold are all represented by different Chinese characters. Confused yet?
Carrots: The Cantonese word for "carrot" is pronounced "gam seon." Gam sounds like the word for gold, hence represents wealth -- even though the "gam" in the words for carrot, kumquat and gold are all represented by different Chinese characters. Confused yet?
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Kumquats:</strong> The Cantonese word for kumquat combines two fortunes in one -- gam (gold) gat (luck and prosperity).
Kumquats: The Cantonese word for kumquat combines two fortunes in one -- gam (gold) gat (luck and prosperity).
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Lotus roots: </strong>In addition to symbolizing another fruitful year, the word for lotus roots also sounds like an old Chinese idiom about a match made in heaven. <br />
Lotus roots: In addition to symbolizing another fruitful year, the word for lotus roots also sounds like an old Chinese idiom about a match made in heaven.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Lotus seeds:</strong> Lin zi, the Cantonese word for lotus seeds, sounds similar to a Chinese saying about giving birth in consecutive years. Therefore, offering lotus seeds is considered a fertility blessing.
Lotus seeds: Lin zi, the Cantonese word for lotus seeds, sounds similar to a Chinese saying about giving birth in consecutive years. Therefore, offering lotus seeds is considered a fertility blessing.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Peanuts: </strong>Thanks to their high nutritional value, peanuts are also nicknamed "the fruit of longevity."
Peanuts: Thanks to their high nutritional value, peanuts are also nicknamed "the fruit of longevity."
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Winter melons: </strong>Winter melons are consumed in the hopes of starting and ending a year well, especially in matters of business.
Winter melons: Winter melons are consumed in the hopes of starting and ending a year well, especially in matters of business.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Roasted seeds: </strong>Want to get rich? Grabbing roasted seeds from a candy box is meant to symbolize the accumulation of fortune. Roasted seeds are usually boiled with various seasonings before being fried till they are dry and crispy.
Roasted seeds: Want to get rich? Grabbing roasted seeds from a candy box is meant to symbolize the accumulation of fortune. Roasted seeds are usually boiled with various seasonings before being fried till they are dry and crispy.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Water chestnuts:</strong> The Cantonese word for water chestnuts, "ma in ma tai," shares the same pronunciation as the word for horse. In Chinese culture, horses often represent vitality and prosperity. <br />
Water chestnuts: The Cantonese word for water chestnuts, "ma in ma tai," shares the same pronunciation as the word for horse. In Chinese culture, horses often represent vitality and prosperity.
Natalie Leung/CNN
<strong>Gold chocolate coins:</strong> Western candies with golden wrappings are a big hit during Lunar New Year celebrations, too -- chocolate coins included.
Gold chocolate coins: Western candies with golden wrappings are a big hit during Lunar New Year celebrations, too -- chocolate coins included.
Natalie Leung/CNN
Lunar New Year candy boxes: What's inside?
CNN  — 

It’s a classic Lunar New Year scene: Family and friends huddled over a red and gold candy box, unwrapping edible treats and shelling nuts.

Though lesser known, these exquisitely decorated containers are as essential a part of the celebration as firecrackers and red envelopes.

Every year, families pull them out from the back of the cupboard before the start of Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which lasts for 15 days from the first day of the lunar calendar (January 25, 2020).

It’s a time of year when children are actually encouraged to devour sweets – all in the hopes of experiencing an influx of fortune in the year to come.

Hosts have to make sure each of the boxes’ trays – there are usually three to nine detachable compartments – are stocked with specific “fortune” candies, which symbolize wealth, happiness and luck.

“Cyun hap (LNY candy boxes) have a history that can be traced back for more than 1,000 years,” says Gloria Chan, spokesperson for the Hong Kong Culture Heritage Studies and Promotion Association.

“The traditional word ‘cyun’ means ‘to put together, or to bring together.’

“By putting all the fortune candies in one place, a cyun hap symbolizes bringing luck together and wishing blessings for the coming year.”

It’s important to note the word “candy” should be used loosely and can refer to anything from seeds to dried fruit.

Here’s a look at some of the more common candy box inclusions:

Roasted seeds: Sharing fortune

When it comes to candy boxes, roasted seeds take center stage – or tray in this case – as eating them symbolizes the accumulation of fortune.

“We produce around 70 to 80 tons of seeds every year – and usually 50 tons of them will be sold during Lunar New Year,” says Bao Yiu-wah, promotions manager at Shanghai Luk Kam Kee, Hong Kong’s most popular family-owned seeds shop.

Shanghai Luk Kam Kee (5 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong) has been selling seeds for more than half a century. It now operates three retail stores specializing in seeds as well as a seed-roasting factory in Hong Kong.

<strong>Roasted seeds: </strong>In Cantonese culture, the act of grabbing roasted seeds from a candy box symbolizes the accumulation of fortune.
Roasted seeds: In Cantonese culture, the act of grabbing roasted seeds from a candy box symbolizes the accumulation of fortune.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Shanghai Luk Kam Kee: </strong>Dubbed the king of roasted seeds, Shanghai Luk Kam Kee has been selling seeds and traditional snacks in Hong Kong for more than five decades.
Shanghai Luk Kam Kee: Dubbed the king of roasted seeds, Shanghai Luk Kam Kee has been selling seeds and traditional snacks in Hong Kong for more than five decades.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>50 tons of roasted seeds: </strong>"We produce around 70-80 tons of seeds every year -- and usually 50 tons of them will be sold during Lunar New Year," says Bao Yiu-wah, promotion manager at Shanghai Luk Kam Kee.
50 tons of roasted seeds: "We produce around 70-80 tons of seeds every year -- and usually 50 tons of them will be sold during Lunar New Year," says Bao Yiu-wah, promotion manager at Shanghai Luk Kam Kee.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Soy sauce black seeds: </strong>The most popular item in the store is soy sauce-flavored black seeds. Roasted watermelon seeds are boiled in soy sauce before being fried until they're dry and crispy.
Soy sauce black seeds: The most popular item in the store is soy sauce-flavored black seeds. Roasted watermelon seeds are boiled in soy sauce before being fried until they're dry and crispy.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Seedy business: </strong>Joyce Luk (left) and her cousin Bao Yiu-wah are the store's second-generation owners.
Seedy business: Joyce Luk (left) and her cousin Bao Yiu-wah are the store's second-generation owners.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>Multiple flavors: </strong>"The red ones are seeds from melons. The black ones are from watermelons. And the white ones are pumpkin seeds. We have about 20 different types of seeds in the store," says Bao.
Multiple flavors: "The red ones are seeds from melons. The black ones are from watermelons. And the white ones are pumpkin seeds. We have about 20 different types of seeds in the store," says Bao.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>The original store: </strong>The brand now operates three retail stores specializing in seeds as well as a seed-roasting factory in Hong Kong. The oldest store is in Tsuen Wan.
The original store: The brand now operates three retail stores specializing in seeds as well as a seed-roasting factory in Hong Kong. The oldest store is in Tsuen Wan.
Maggie Wong/CNN
<strong>8 sweets: </strong>Luk Kam Kee is also a great place to grab fortune candies for your "cyun hap" -- candy box -- including these eight traditional sweets.
8 sweets: Luk Kam Kee is also a great place to grab fortune candies for your "cyun hap" -- candy box -- including these eight traditional sweets.
Maggie Wong/CNN
Shanghai Luk Kam Kee: Hong Kong's seed-roasting master

“A long-time customer came just this morning to get 30 kilograms of seeds for friends and families who live in Singapore and Taiwan,” Bao tells CNN Travel.

“Our seeds are from carefully chosen farms. The melons are grown especially for their seeds – not the flesh.”

The seeds will then be boiled – in various ingredients from soy sauce to grounded coffee beans for different flavors – before being fried till the seeds are crispy, dry and fragrant.

“Most of our customers are over 60 now. Younger generations come usually for their parents,” says Bao.

“It’d be great if the tradition can last – nothing beats families chatting at a table, shelling seeds while waiting for a big dinner.”

The essential 8 sweets

Other must-haves in a traditional LNY box include the “eight sweets,” which are actually candied fruits and vegetables – lotus roots, coconut strips, carrots, lotus seeds, coconut wedges, winter melons, kumquats and water chestnuts.

It’s all about pronunciation, not taste. Most of their Chinese names sound similar to a word in Mandarin or Cantonese with positive associations.

Lunar New Year dos and don'ts

The Cantonese word for coconuts, for example, sounds like the word for grandfather-son in both Cantonese and Mandarin – ye (grandfather) zi (son).

It signifies a strong family bond and a big family.

In addition to the eight sweets, pistachios (nicknamed “happy nuts” in Cantonese) and sesame balls (referred to as “laughing dates” in Cantonese) are popular because they look like they’re cracking a smile.

Modern variations

Packaged sweets are becoming more common, too.

Western candies like Ferrero Rocher and Almond Roca are a big hit during Spring Festival thanks to their golden wrappings.

“There are more variations on candy boxes in recent years – even New York brand Lady M is trying to blend in by introducing its own LNY candy box in Hong Kong,” says Chan.

Why this choir is a huge hit with China's stressed-out millennials

Instead of stocking traditional sweets, the modern version from the New York cake shop features delicacies like Champagne white chocolate truffles.

“I believe these modern adaptations are more attractive to the younger generations and foreigners. It encourages those who don’t know much about the traditions of cyun hap to understand the meanings of Lunar New Year,” says Chan.

Check out the gallery at the top of this feature to find out more about the meanings behind some of the traditional box candies.

Originally published in 2018, updated in 2020.