The golden history of spring rolls in Lunar New Year celebrations

[WORLD] Spring rolls, with their crisp golden exteriors and flavorful fillings, are more than just a culinary delight—they’re a cultural emblem woven into China’s Lunar New Year traditions. These iconic rolls symbolize prosperity, health, and the arrival of spring, carrying a history that stretches back over 1,500 years. From their humble beginnings as seasonal vegetable wraps to their modern role as festive staples, spring rolls embody the harmony of tradition and symbolism central to Chinese celebrations.

Ancient Origins: From Spring Platters to Imperial Delicacies

The spring roll’s origins trace to ancient China, where its earliest form emerged as a “spring dish” (chunpan) during the Jin Dynasty (265–420 CE). Farmers celebrated the end of winter by wrapping freshly harvested vegetables—like leeks, garlic, and turnips—in thin wheat pancakes, symbolizing renewal and vitality325. These early rolls were not fried but served fresh, akin to a communal “make-your-own” platter.

By the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), the dish had evolved into a luxury item for the elite. Poet Du Fu referenced these rolls in his works, and fillings expanded to include salted meats, eggs, and beansprouts. The Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) further popularized them, as recorded in The Shoufu, a compilation of stories.

Dynastic Innovations

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644): Wrappers became thinner, and rolls were folded tightly to hold intricate fillings.

Qing Dynasty (1644–1912): Deep-frying techniques transformed the rolls into their golden, crispy form, resembling gold bars—a shape now synonymous with wealth.

Symbolism: Why Spring Rolls Rule Lunar New Year

During Lunar New Year, spring rolls are more than a dish—they’re a lucky charm. Their symbolism stems from three key elements:

Shape and Color

The fried rolls’ cylindrical form and golden hue mirror ancient Chinese gold ingots, embodying wishes for financial prosperity. Their colour and shape evoke gold bars. The phrase “a ton of gold” (huángjīn wànliǎng) is often recited while eating them.

Seasonal Significance

Eaten during the Spring Festival (Chūnjié), they mark the end of winter and the start of the agricultural cycle. Fresh ingredients like chives and sprouts symbolize growth, while their pungent flavors are believed to cleanse the body’s qi (energy) according to traditional Chinese medicine.

Family Unity

Preparing spring rolls is a communal activity. Families gather to wrap fillings, fostering togetherness—a core Lunar New Year value.

From Imperial Courts to Global Menus

While spring rolls began as a seasonal delicacy, their popularity surged during the Qing Dynasty, when imperial chefs added luxurious ingredients like shrimp, mushrooms, and duck. Regional variations emerged:

Northern China: Hearty fillings with meat and cabbage, served with soy sauce.

Southern China: Lighter vegetable rolls, often paired with sweet chili sauce.

Cantonese Style: Crispy fried rolls with pork and shrimp, a dim sum favorite.

Today, spring rolls have transcended borders, adapting to local palates:

Vietnam: Fresh gỏi cuốn with herbs and rice paper.

Indonesia: Spicy minced chicken rolls with peanut sauce.

USA: Cream cheese-filled “egg rolls” (a misnomer stemming from wrapper ingredients).

Modern Lunar New Year Traditions

During festivities, spring rolls are:

• Stacked in pyramids to mimic gold bar piles, amplifying wealth symbolism.
• Served alongside other lucky dishes like dumplings (prosperity) and fish (abundance).
• Made vegetarian to honor Buddhist traditions on New Year’s Eve.

Chef Zhang Li of Beijing’s Dragon Well Manor shares: “My grandmother taught me to seal the rolls tightly—it’s like sealing in good fortune for the family.”

Spring rolls are a testament to China’s culinary ingenuity and cultural depth. From their agrarian roots to their status as a global street food, they’ve remained a bridge between past and present. As families gather each Lunar New Year to share these golden rolls, they’re not just savoring a dish—they’re honoring a legacy of hope, unity, and prosperity. Whether fried or fresh, every bite is a celebration of spring’s promise.