Lunar New Year Feast Coloring Page

A Lunar New Year feast brings together some of the most symbolic and beautiful foods in Chinese culture, from whole steamed fish to delicate dumplings arranged in lucky patterns. The table setting itself is a work of art, with red tablecloths, decorative plates, and dishes chosen specifically for their auspicious meanings. All these details translate wonderfully into a coloring page full of interesting shapes and cultural significance.

What colors work best?

Red and gold are your foundation here, representing luck and prosperity. Use warm oranges and yellows for dishes like mandarin oranges and spring rolls. The fish can be silver-grey with hints of pink, while vegetables like bok choy and scallions add fresh greens to balance all that warmth. Try deep burgundy for the tablecloth and metallic gold accents on the plates and chopsticks. Don’t forget small pops of pink for shrimp or lotus root.

Did you know?

Fish is always served whole at Lunar New Year because the Chinese word for fish sounds like “surplus,” symbolizing abundance for the coming year. Dumplings are shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, which is why families make hundreds of them together on New Year’s Eve. Long noodles are never cut or broken before eating because their length represents longevity, so you’ll often see them artfully arranged in swirls on the plate.

How to color this one

Start with the tablecloth and background elements in your reds and golds to establish the festive mood. Use colored pencils for the intricate details on dumpling folds and vegetable textures. Markers work well for bold, solid areas like plates and serving dishes. Consider leaving some white highlights on the fish scales and dumpling edges to create dimension. Layer lighter colors first, then add darker shading along the edges of food items to make them look three-dimensional and appetizing.

Who’ll love this?

This page appeals to anyone interested in food illustration or cultural traditions. Families celebrating Lunar New Year can color this together while preparing their own feast. Kids learning about different cultures will enjoy discovering what each food symbolizes, and detail-oriented colorists will appreciate all the textures and patterns to fill in.