Lo Sheng

We already had our reunion dinner last Sunday & mummy was just preparing a simple dinner yesterday, CNY eve. However, Ivan could make it over for dinner & we decided to "lo-sheng" (Cantonese version of the Lucky Raw Fish).

As we were "lao-ing" (tossing) the fish salad, mummy asked us if we know the meaning of each individual items when they are poured into the salad tray? Then I thought that being a Chinese, it's good to know the origins & meaning of the traditions that I have been practicing for the past 31 years.

The event is called "Lo-sheng". The action of tossing is "lo-hei". "Lo" means tossing up a good fortune & "Hei" means "rise", an analogy of a thriving & prosperous life.

Apparently, there are 6 steps to tossing this particular fish salad.

Step 1: All at the table offers New Year greetings.
Words: Gong xi fa cai (恭喜发财）meaning "Congratulations for your wealth" or Wan shi ru yi （万事如意） meaning "May all your wishes be fulfilled".

Step 2: Fish, symbolising abundance or excess through the year, is added.
Words: Nian nian you yu （年年有余）and You yu you sheng.

Step 3: The pomelo is added over the fish, adding both luck and auspicious value.
Words: Da ji da li （大吉大利）.
Pepper is then dashed over the ingredients in the hope of attracting more money and valuables.
Words: Zhao cai jin bao （招财进宝）.
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 （一本万利）and Cai yuan guang jin （财源广进）.

Step 4: Carrots are added to the fish indicating blessings of good luck.
Words: Hong yun dang tou （鸿运当头）.
Then the shredded green radish is placed on the fish symbolising eternal youth.
Words: Qing chun chang zhu （青春常住）.
After which the shredded white radish is added - prosperity in business and promotion at work.
Words: Feng sheng shui qi (风生水起) and Bu bu gao sheng (步步高升).

Step 5: The condiments are finally added. First, peanut crumbs are dusted on the dish symbolising a household filled with gold and silver. As an icon of longevity, peanuts also symbolise eternal youth.
Words: Jin yin man wu (金银满屋).
Sesame seeds quickly follow symbolising a flourishing business.
Words: Sheng yi xing long (生意兴隆).
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: Pian di huang jin (片地黄金).

Step 6: All toss the salad an auspicious 7 times with loud shouts of lo hei and other auspicious New Year wishes.
Words: Lo hei which is Cantonese for "tossing luck".
The ingredients mixed by pushing them toward the centre, an encouragement to push on the good luck of all at the table.

Information compliments from National Library Board - Yu Sheng.

All of us misses Carol so we decided to take a whole family photo for her viewing. And yes, the dogs are part of my family. *Heehee*