This Heritage Week I share an heirloom from my Chinese heritage - an antique octagonal wooden lacquer tray with cover that my maternal grandmother brought with her from southern China when she came to Canada in 1917. I don’t recall hearing her talk about it or seeing her use it, nor my mother either, but I have it now and am learning that it is a 中國新年攢盒 (Zhōngguó xīnnián cuán hé), or chuen-hap, or New Year Tray of Togetherness. During Chinese New Year, 婆婆(popo) grandmother must have served and eaten a variety of festive sweet and savoury treats from it, such as candies and melon seeds. In my research, I also learned that there was a lot of symbolism associated with this tray and its contents. Eight is one of the luckiest numbers in Chinese culture and this tray has eight sides. Nine represents longevity and prosperity and there are nine mini trays inside. The treats that would have been selected and served would likely have been ones that symbolized good luck, fertility, etc.