Lap Bak
Lap Bak means 'Cold Eighth' and refers to the traditional start of celebrations for the Chinese New Year - the eight day of the last lunar month. It is traditionally the time when the weather becomes cold. On this day a special hot rice soup is eaten, containing nuts, dried lotus seeds, red beans, dried dates and other (non meat) ingredients. This traditions has its roots in the Buddhist faith, and the eating of the rice soup is a symbolic purification of the body in preparation for the new year.