On the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, all Chinese know the usual tradition of tossing the prosperity salad, otherwise known as Lou-Hei Yu Sheng.
The tricky part is when you have to say auspicious sayings with every ingredient added. If you’re dining at a restaurant outside, the waitresses will probably do it for you. But he Here’s what you need to know (credits: Super Fine Feline):
Step 1: All at the table offer New Year greetings.
Words: 恭喜发财 “Gong Xi Fa Cai” meaning “Congratulations for your wealth” or 万事如意 “Wan shi ru yi” meaning “May all your wishes be fulfilled”.
Step 2: Fish, symbolising abundance or excess through the year, is added.
Words: Nian nian you yu 年年有馀 and You yu you sheng.
Step 3: The pomelo is added over the fish, adding both luck and auspicious value.
Words: 大吉大利 Da ji da li.
Step 4: Pepper & Cinnamon Powder is then dashed over the ingredients in the hope of attracting more money and valuables.
Words: 招财进宝 Zhao cai jin bao.
Step 5: Then oil is poured out, circling the ingredients to increase all profits 10,000 times and encouraging money to flow in from all directions.
Words: Yi ben wan li and 财原广进 Cai yuan guang jin.
Step 6: Carrots are added to the fish indicating blessings of good luck.
Words: Hong yun dang tou.
Step 7: Then the shredded green radish is placed on the fish symbolising eternal youth.
Words: Qing chun chang zhu.
Step 8: After which the shredded white radish is added – prosperity in business and promotion at work.
Words: Feng sheng shui qi and 步步高升 Bu bu gao sheng.
Step 9: Chopped Peanut bits are dusted on the dish symbolising a household filled with gold and silver. As an icon of longevity, peanuts also symbolise eternal youth.
Words: 金银满屋 Jin yin man wu.
Step 10: Sesame seeds quickly follow symbolising a flourishing business.
Words: 生意兴隆 Sheng yi xing long.
Step 11: Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows is then added with wishes that literally the whole floor would be filled with gold.
Words: 遍地黄金 Bian di huang jin.
Step 12: All toss the salad an auspicious 7 times with loud shouts of “lo hei” 捞起 and other auspicious New Year wishes.
Words: Lo hei 捞起 which is Cantonese for “tossing luck”.
There’s another thing you need to know, we’re not done here yet!
As you toss, it’s also a tradition to say even more auspicious greetings! Ever felt like you ran out of greetings? We’ve decided to compile a list of greetings (for us as much as it is for you, if you’re somewhat close to being a Chinese illiterate):
Happiness, Prosperity, Longevity: 福禄寿 fú lù shòu
Wish you luck in the Year of the Monkey: 猴年大吉 hóu nián dàjí
Happy New Year: 恭贺新禧 gōnghè xīnxǐ
May all your wishes come true: 新想事成 xīnxiǎng shì chéng
May you be happy and prosperous: 恭喜发财 gōngxǐ fācái
I wish you good health and lasting prosperity: 祝身体健康、事业发达 zhù shēntǐ jiànkāng, shìyè fādá.
Best wishes for the holidays and happiness throughout the New Year: 恭贺新禧，万事如意 gōnghèxīnxǐ, wànshìrúyì
Good health, good luck and much happiness throughout the year: 恭祝健康、幸运，新年快乐 gōngzhù jiànkāng, xìngyùn, xīnnián kuàilè.
Credits: Access Chinese
Well, with that, hope you have a good Chinese New Year holiday with your loved ones! Wishing you the best of luck in this Chinese New Year!
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