Niángāo is made from glutinous rice and is very popular during Chinese New Year even though it is available all year round. Chinese eat Niángāo during this time because "nian gao" is a homonym for "higher year." The Chinese word (nián粘), meaning "sticky", is identical in sound to Nian (年), meaning "year", and the word (gāo), meaning "cake" is identical in sound to (Gao 高), meaning "high". Therefore, the eating of Niángāo symbolizes the raising of oneself in each coming year (年年高升 niánnián gāoshēng).
Niángāo is also offered to the Kitchen God so that his mouth will be stuck with the sticky cake so that he cannot badmouth the family to the God of all Gods (Yu Huang Da Di). So, eat plenty of Niángāo this Water Dragon Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai