As the Chinese New Year draws near, families gather in anticipation of the most delightful tradition, the reunion dinner. Amidst the joyous laughter and delectable dishes, the star of the show is Yee Sang, which is also known as Lou Hei.
This isn’t your ordinary salad, it’s a vibrant spectacle of vegetables and fish coming together, a symbol of prosperity and good luck. But the real magic begins when this colourful medley is tossed high in the air. The tossing of Yee Sang is not just an exciting activity, it’s an art form steeped in rich symbolism. It’s widely believed that the higher you toss, the greater the fortune you’ll usher in the year. The sky’s the limit, and in this case, the higher you reach, the more luck you reap.
But what’s a performance without its soundtrack? As the salad takes flight, the air fills with an orchestra of auspicious phrases. These go beyond the customary ‘gong xi fa cai’, they are the melodies of well-wishes and celebration, adding depth and symbolism to this festive event. Each uttered phrase is a verbal charm, a manifestation of the participants’ hopes and dreams for the coming year.
For those on the edge of this tradition, not to worry! Guidance is available for those unfamiliar with the intricacies of this beautiful practice. Understanding these prosperous phrases can help you immerse yourself in the tradition, adding your personal wishes for prosperity and good fortune.
Let this guide be your compass, leading you through the nuances of this rich tradition, ensuring you’re ready to join in the jubilations of the Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year 101: What to say when tossing Yee Sang
Gong Xi Fa Cai
Gong Xi Fa Cai is a phrase that dances on the tongues of celebrants during the Chinese New Year, echoing through the air like a melodious anthem of the festivities. Whenever you cross paths with someone amidst the celebrations, this phrase is joyously exchanged. In its bare essence, it translates to ‘congratulations on your fortune,’ but its spirit extends beyond mere wealth. It’s a heartfelt wish, a poetic expression of hope that the New Year will unfurl an array of blessings and joy in the lives of others.
Wan Shi Ru Yi
Wan Shi Ru Yi is a lyrical phrase that often follows the vibrant exchange of gong xi fa cai during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Like a gentle breeze carrying the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, this phrase subtly conveys a wish for all life’s events to dance to the rhythm of your heart’s desires. In essence, it’s a poetic way of saying ‘may your journey be exactly as you envision it’.
Huat Ah
Huat Ah is more than just an expression; it’s a vibrant invocation that calls upon the forces of prosperity. Its essence lies in its power to beckon financial success and abundant wealth, making it a popular chant during the festive celebrations.
Tio Toto/4D
With a glint of anticipation and a sprinkle of fortune, the phrase Tio Toto/4D dances on the lips of celebrants. This phrase mirrors a wish, a fluttering hope of hitting the jackpot in popular games of chance like Toto or 4D. It’s a festive anthem, particularly resonant in the vibrant cultures of Malaysia and Singapore, wafting through the air during times of celebration.
Shen Ti Jian Kang
Shen Ti Jian Kang dances off the tongue like a soothing lullaby, a heartfelt wish for the vitality of good health. In the grand tapestry of life, health is the golden thread that weaves it all together, a treasure more precious than any material wealth.
Xin Xiang Shi Cheng
Xin Xiang Shi Cheng is a phrase that sparkles with aspiration. When these words are voiced, they carry a heartfelt wish, gently whispering to the universe, carrying a desire that every dream nestled within a person’s heart will bloom into reality.
Xue Ye Jin Bu
Xue Ye Jin Bu, a phrase echoing with promise, is often shared with the young scholars among us. It’s a beautiful wish, painting a picture of academic achievements soaring to new heights, reflecting a heart’s desire for enhanced scholastic accomplishments.
Chang Ming Bai Sui
Chang Ming Bai Sui is a phrase that dances on the lips of those wishing their elders a life as long and fulfilling as a century-old tree. It’s a poetic way of expressing hope that they’ll thrive for a hundred years, a gentle nod to their wisdom and the valuable life lessons they’ve shared. This expression is a heartfelt tribute to the reverence and gratitude we hold for the guiding stars of our lives – our elders.
Dai Dai Ping An
Dai Dai Ping An is a phrase that, when spoken, conveys a wish for peace and safety across every generation in a family. Just as the words suggest, it’s a desire for every family member, from the youngest to the eldest, to experience a life that’s harmonious and secure.
Auspicious phrases to say when adding ingredients to the Yee Sang
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Nian Nian You Yu
As the raw fish graces the Yee Sang dish during the Chinese New Year festivities, the phrase Nian Nian You Yu is melodiously uttered. This phrase, a lyrical symbol of the Chinese language, translates directly into ‘abundance in every year’. It’s a charming tradition, a shimmering beacon of hope, painting a picture of year-round prosperity, whispered into existence with each repetition of the phrase.
Da Ji Da Li
The phrase, Da Ji Da Li is spoken during the addition of pomelo or orange peels to the Yee Sang dish. The phrase symbolises an abundance of luck and prosperity.
Zhao Cai Jin Bao
As the pepper and seasoning powders cascade onto the Yee Sang dish, the air becomes thick with the murmur of the phrase Zhao Cai Jin Bao. This isn’t just a saying, but a heartfelt invitation, a symbolic call out to the universe, beckoning wealth and treasures to come find their way into one’s life.
Yi Ben Wan Li or Cai Yuan Guang Jin
As you anoint the fish and vegetables with oil, tracing a circular path, the air fills with the rich resonance of the phrases Yi Ben Wan Li or Cai Yuan Guang Jin. The former paints a vivid picture of an investment blossoming, amplifying ten thousand-fold, while Cai Yuan Guang Jin evokes a vision of limitless wealth cascading into your life. These phrases, when chanted, are like seeds sown for a prosperous harvest, echoing the vibrant spirit of the Chinese New Year.
Hong Yun Dang Tou
As you nestle the carrots into the Yee Sang, you chant the phrase Hong Yun Dang Tou. This vibrant incantation serves as a mystical beacon, summoning good luck and heralding the approach of prosperity.
Qing Chun Chang Zhu
As the vibrant green radish graces the Yee Sang dish, the phrase Qing Chun Chang Zhu dances in the air. This melodic utterance is a delicate tapestry woven with the threads of eternal youth. It’s not just a mere saying, but a poetic wish that the hands of time gently cradle the vitality and vigor in all of us. This enchanting wish comes alive especially when the table is graced with the presence of the elders, their wisdom a testament to the eternal youth that this phrase resonates with.
Bu Bu Gao Sheng and Feng Sheng Shui Qi
The phrases Bu Bu Gao Sheng and Feng Sheng Shui Qi are recited when the white radish is added to the Yee Sang dish. Both expressions represent the concept of advancement, with the former specifically implying swift progress.
Jin Yin Man Wu
As you gently shower the Yee Sang dish with crushed peanuts, the words Jin Yin Man Wu dance on your lips. This phrase, rich with hope, paints a vivid picture of a home overflowing with golden and silver treasures, a metaphor for prosperity and wealth.
Sheng Yi Xing Long
The phrase Sheng Yi Xing Long is spoken when sesame seeds are added to the Yee Sang dish. This saying represents a wish for the prosperity of one’s business.
Man Di Huang Jin
As the pillow-shaped crackers find their place amidst the medley of the Yee Sang dish, the phrase Man Di Huang Jin ripples through the air. This saying, as colourful as the festive atmosphere, paints a vivid picture of floors blanketed with gold, a metaphor for boundless prosperity and wealth.
Tian Tian Mi Mi
As the plum sauce, with its sweet and tangy allure, is blended into the Yee Sang dish, the phrase Tian Tian Mi Mi is melodically pronounced. An enchanting phrase, it whispers of a life as sweet as honey, evoking visions of days filled with harmony and joy. It’s more than just a phrase, it’s a poetic incantation, casting a spell for a life overflowing with sweetness and serenity.
(Hero and feature images: Courtesy Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur & St. Regis Kuala Lumpur)
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
