Toss! To A Prosperous New Year (Lo Hei Yu Sheng)
What is Lo Hei Yu Sheng and what is its significance?
One of the customs surrounding Lunar New Year in Singapore is the tossing of Yu Sheng, or colloquially known as 'Lo Hei' (捞起). Yu Sheng (鱼生) translates to raw fish, and is a homophone for increasing abundance (余升). The tossing of Yu Sheng hence symbolises the welcoming of greater prosperity and wealth into the new year.
A Yu Sheng platter is a medley of shredded vegetables and raw fish, typically salmon, topped with condiments and sauces. From salmon and pomelo to crushed peanuts, golden crackers and more, each ingredient has an accompanied meaning and represents an auspicious wish for the new year ahead. Scroll down to the end to find out more!
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel's Yu sheng Platter is a must-have and comes laden with Norwegian Salmon, vegetable slaw, kiwi vinaigrette. You may further customise the platter with indulgent add-on options including Hiramasa kingfish, Hokkaido scallop, Maine lobster and Australian Abalone, for an extra dose of prosperity.
How to do the prosperity toss?
First, prepare the ingredients of the Yu Sheng individually and get a large, round dish ready. Slowly add the ingredients onto the plate one by one in a specific sequence while you recite the corresponding blessings of joy, luck and prosperity at the same time (more instructions below). Once all the ingredients have been poured onto the plate, stand around the table and have a pair of chopsticks ready for everyone.
Then, reach in and toss the ingredients into the air, up high! It is believed that the higher the toss is, the greater the return of your prosperity. For extra luck, toss for seven times while saying "Huat Ah!" (prosper!)
Ingredient | What to Recite | Meaning |
Raw fish |
年年有余 |
Abundance every year |
Pomelo | 大吉大利 Da Ji Da Li |
Great prosperity, fortune and luck |
Spices such as pepper | 招财进宝 Zhao Cai Jin Bao |
Attract great wealth and treasures into your life |
Oil |
财原广进 |
For money and wealth to flow into your life from all directions |
Shredded carrot |
鸿运当头 |
The inevitable arrival of good fortune in your life |
Shredded green radish | 青春永驻 Qing Chun Yong Zhu |
Eternal youth |
Shredded white radish | 步步高升 Bu Bu Gao Sheng 风生水起 Feng Sheng Shui Qi |
Success at work, to achieve greater heights in all your undertakings |
Sesame seeds & peanuts | 金银满屋 Jin Yin Man Wu 生意兴隆 Sheng Yi Xing Long |
For wealth at home and for your business to flourish |
Golden crackers | 遍地黄金 Bian Di Huang Jin |
May the floor be littered with gold (representing more wealth than you can ever spend) |
Plum sauce | 甜甜蜜蜜 Tian Tian Mi Mi |
A sweet and loving relationship between family members and couples |