So, what exactly are these Chinese sayings and phrases and what do they mean with the ingredients?
Item #1 – Raw fish (生鱼, Sheng Yu) represents abundance and excess through the year, particularly for all the good stuff like prosperity
Phrase – “Abundance throughout the year” (年年有余, Nian Nian You Yu)
Item #2 – Pomelo (柚子, You Zi) is added after the fish, for luck and auspicious value
Phrase – “Good luck and smooth sailing” (大吉大利, Da Ji Da Li)
Item #3 – Pepper (胡椒粉, Hu Jiao Fen) is thrown into the mix as a wish for wealth
Phrase – “Attract wealth and treasures” (招财进宝, Zhao Cai Jin Bao)
Item #4 – Vegetable oil (油, You) is drizzled in a circular motion over the mixture as a symbol of welcoming money and for it to “flow in from all directions”
Phrase – “Make 10,000 times of profit with your capital” (一本万利, Yi Ben Wan Li), and “Countless sources of wealth” (财源广进, Cai Yuan Guang Jin
Photo courtesy of Flickr user Ptanu )
Item #5 – Carrots (红萝卜, Hong Luo Bo) are also used to indicate blessings of good luck
Phrase – “Good luck is approaching” (鸿运当头, Hong Yun Dang Tou)
Item #6 – Green radish (青萝卜, Qing Luo Bo) stands for eternal youth
Phrase – “Forever young” (青春常驻, Qing Chun Chang Zhu)
Item #7 – White radish (白萝卜, Bai Luo Bo) is also used to usher in good business prospects
Phrase – “Reaching a higher level with each step” (步步高升, Bu Bu Gao Sheng), and “Progress at a fast pace” (风生水起, Feng Sheng Shui Qi)
After the main ingredients come the condiments:
Item #8 – Crushed peanuts (花生粉, Hua Sheng Fen) are sprinkled over the dish, symbolising wishes for a household to be filled with valuable possessions
Phrase – “Household filled with gold and silver” (金银满屋, Jin Yin Man Wu)
Item #9 – Sesame seeds (芝麻, Zhi Ma) come after the crushed peanuts, representing hope for a business to flourish and grow
Phrase – “Prosperity for the business” (生意兴隆, Sheng Yi Xing Long)
Item #10 – Golden crackers (薄脆饼干, Bo Cui Bing Gan) symbolise great wealth
Phrase – “Floor full of gold” (满地黄金, Man Di Huang Jin)
Item #11 – Plum sauce ((酸梅酱, Suan Mei Jiang) is poured all over the dish, representing hope for stronger ties with those around you
Phrase – “Sweet and loving relationships” (甜甜蜜蜜, Tian Tian Mi Mi)
Happy Tossing !
