The word in Chinese for fish is yoo which also sounds like the word for 'surplus'. As we’ll discover, homonyms – or words which sound similar – are very important. As everyone likes to have something left over, fish is a sign that the year has been successful.

It’s not just any fish though, as crucian carp, catfish and mud carp are all especially auspicious. Even how a fish is eaten means a lot, as it should be placed with the head towards distinguished guests or elders, as a sign of respect. It should also be the last dish eaten – and some must be left over as it’s another sign of surplus.

Dumplings are another dish eaten, traditionally on New Year’s Eve in northern China. Some believe that the more dumplings you can eat during the celebrations, the more money you’ll make in the year ahead! Lucky dumplings should have pleats, not be flat, and be arranged in lines instead of circles – as otherwise it represents a year going round in circles.

Fruits are a huge part of Chinese New Year, especially those which are round and golden in colour as they symbolize wealth. As such, you can expect to see plenty of tangerines, oranges and pomeloes, while displaying tangerine trees is a classic decoration across Hong Kong and the rest of China. Oranges and tangerines are another homonym, as cheng, the Chinese for ‘orange’, sounds the same as ‘success’.