The Chinese  Lunar New Year sees a culmination of many things. Family gatherings, thematic costumes, lion dance displays, feasting and so much more. As millennials, we go through the motion of things year after year but has anyone actually stopped to understand why certain traditions and practices even exist in the first place?

Take the iconic yu sheng toss for example. It’s more than just a group of rowdy folks screaming and tossing food in the air in a barbaric fit. In fact, it is a tradition with so much meaning and positivity around it.

To ensure traditions live on, here is our guide to 8 Chinese New Year traditions that every millennial should know.

CHINESE NEW YEAR SNACKS 

What Millennials think: Time to put my diet aside to get fat on all these new year goodies!

What it actually represents: Each Chinese New Year snack has its own symbolic meaning which brings about well wishes for the upcoming year. For instance, watermelon seeds represent vitality and longevity while pineapple tarts are thought of to bring good luck and prosperity to the house.

EATING DUMPLINGS 

What Millennials think: Just another dish that’s served during a reunion meal.

What it actually represents: Dumplings are actually eaten for good fortune as they resemble ingots which were an ancient currency used by the Chinese in the past. Therefore, based on that, the more dumplings you eat, the more wealth you will accumulate for yourself!

FIREWORKS AND FIRECRACKERS

What Millennials think: Perfect photo opportunity for Instagram! It’ll make a pretty aesthetic Boomerang shot.

What it actually represents: Fireworks and firecrackers symbolise good luck for the rest of the year and also is a way to drive away evil spirits. This is based on the ancient story of a mystical beast called Nian who liked to feed on livestock on the eve of Chinese New Year. In order to chase Nian away, the people lit firecrackers to scare it off.

LION DANCE 

What Millennials think: Noisy repetitive beats and a furry lion high on ecstasy.

What it actually represents: People, especially businesses, hire lion dancers to welcome in good luck as well as to drive away evil spirits. The lion itself is a symbol of power, wisdom and good fortune. So, if the lion happens to bite you on the head during one of these performances, lucky you!

NEW YEAR’S EVE REUNION DINNER 

What Millennials think: Time for another round of feasting and have relatives ask about our lives as if they genuinely care.

What it actually represents: New Year’s Eve reunion dinners are considered to be one of the most important dinners for Chinese families, especially for those families who spend very little time together or have family members overseas. During such dinners, family members gather around to catch up as well as spend much-needed quality time with their loved ones over a sumptuous meal.

RED PACKETS 

What Millennials think: Huat ah, free money! I can use this to buy a new iPhone (or gamble at my friend’s place later on).

What it actually represents: Red packets are a channel for sending good luck and wishes to the person on the receiving end.

Photo Credit: Clean My Space 

SPRING CLEANING 

What Millennials think: Time to revamp my wardrobe and bedroom! Guests are coming, better not let them see what kind of a horrible pig I am.

What it actually represents: Spring cleaning is regarded as a way of sweeping away the bad luck to welcome in all the good luck. However, be sure not to let your spring cleaning session drag into the new year — that would mean that you’ll be sweeping all the new year luck away!

STAYING UP PAST MIDNIGHT 

What Millennials think: Tomorrow is a public holiday, I can sleep in. No work, no school, no problem!

What it actually represents: People believe that by staying up past midnight after the reunion dinner, they will be able to properly send off the old and welcome in the new. When it comes to children, it is said that the longer the child stays awake at night, the longer their parents will live. So if your kid manages to stay awake for 24-hours, you’re going to be one old, happy parent.

The Chinese Lunar New Year is an annual festival where many traditions culminate from exchanging of oranges to the receiving of red packets and more. Still, as far as the Chinese New Year goes, the iconic yu sheng toss remains at the helm of all things festive.

Yu Sheng, otherwise known as lo-hei or prosperity toss, is something that we’ve grown terribly fond of. A vibrant centrepiece dish comprising various elements, each boasting its own unique flavour and meaning behind it, the yu sheng is always the first order of business at any family gathering.

Yet, as we find ourselves going through the motion of this tradition year in year out, how many of us millennials can actually say that we truly understand this practice and its significance? To a season dedicated to good fortune, family reunion and feasting, here is our guide on lo hei, what it is and what it represents.

HOW THE MODERN INTERPRETATION CAME TO BE

Since its origins as a simple raw fish dish back in the 1930s, the recipe has undergone a series of transformations, and even until today, people are still finding innovative ways to present this dish. The dish was brought to Singapore in the late 19th century by the migration of Cantonese and Teochew migrants from China.

“Lo Hei”, in Cantonese literally translates to “tossing up good fortune”, and it refers to the ritual adopted in Singapore that involves a group of people gathered around a massive plate, tossing its contents violently while saying out auspicious phrases before eating it—it is popularly believed that the higher the toss, the better your prospects and fortune in the year ahead.

At the very beginning, the salad itself consisted merely of raw fish slices, some vegetables and seasoning to taste. It was only much later on in 1964, where a quartet of chefs—known affectionately as the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’—reinvented the dish and served it at the then, newly opened Lai Wah restaurant. The new salad saw an improvement in texture, colour, and flavour.

KEY INGREDIENTS & WHAT THEY REPRESENT

• Carrots – Represents good luck.
• Green Radish – Represents eternal youth.
• White Radish – Represents good job opportunities in the coming year.
• Raw Fish – symbolises abundance and prosperity.
• Pomelo – Represents luck.
• Crushed Peanuts – Is a sign that your home will be filled with many valuable possessions.
• Sesame Seeds – Represent the hope that your business will flourish.
• Golden Crackers – Symbolises wealth.
• Plum Sauce – A key component that binds the salad together, it represents stronger ties among family and friends.
• Pepper & Cinnamon Powder – signify the wish for wealth
• Oil – Often drizzled onto the salad in a circular motion rather than poured over. This is to symbolise that money will come from all directions.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Before the tossing begins, the dish needs to be prepared, usually by one individual who adds the ingredients one by one in a specific order, while the reciting wishes of luck and prosperity at the same time.

With the plate placed in the middle, friends and family members stand around the table to toss the ingredients whilst exchanging blessings and words of prosperity—although, more often than not, people tend to just shout them out.

9 INTEGRAL STEPS & WHAT TO SAY

Step: Yu Sheng platter is placed at the centre of the dining table.
What To Say: “Gong Xi Fa Cai” meaning, “Congratulations for your wealth”.

Step: Raw sliced fish is added.
What To Say: “Nian Nian You Yu” meaning, “Abundance throughout the year”.

Step: Pomelo or lime is added.
What To Say: “Da Ji Da Li” meaning, “good luck and great prosperity”.

Step: Spice sachets are sprinkled over.
What To Say: “Zhao Cai Jin Bao” meaning, “May you attract wealth and treasures”.

Step: Oil and plum sauce are poured over ingredients.
What To Say: “Yi Ben Wan Li” meaning “Make 10,000 times of profit with your capital”

Step: Peanut crumbs are poured over.
What To Say: “Jin Yin Man Wu” meaning, “May your home be filled with lots of gold and silver.”

Step: Sesame seeds sprinkled over.
What To Say: “Sheng Yi Xing Long” meaning, “Wishing you prosperity for the business.”

Step: Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows are then added.
What To Say: “Man Di Huang Jin” literally translating to, “May the whole floor be filled with gold.”

Step: The toss commences.
What To Say: “Lo Hei” literally translating to tossing luck.

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The annual celebration of Chinese New Year sees endless baked treats and other savoury delights being sold, served and consumed by Chinese communities in Singapore throughout the 15-day festive period.

Ever wondered why the exchange of Mandarin Oranges is so important, and why there would always be pineapple tarts in each home?

The repetition of Chinese New Year Goodies is no random occurrence, as each snack is essentially symbolic of a meaningful purpose. The next time someone in the family asks, “Why do we always have to eat xxx during Chinese New Year?”, you will find the answer(s) to him/her here in our beginner’s guide to the Auspicious Meaning Behind 8 Chinese New Year Goodies.

Read: Chinatown’s Chinese New Year Market 2016 – Here’s What To Expect.

#1 BAK KWA

Bak Kwa, for the uninitiated, is a barbecued pork jerky that is extremely popular amongst Chinese ethnic communities; especially so during Lunar New Year. The dialect name Bak Kwa when translated means dried meat. The barbecued pork jerky’s deep red colour is considered auspicious in Chinese tradition, symbolising good luck and believed to ward off negative energies.

#2 JIAO ZI DUMPLINGS

Back in the olden days, ancient Chinese civilians used an age-old currency called Yuan Bao that are inherently dumpling-shaped ingots in silver or gold. Today, the Jiao Zi Dumplings we eat bear an uncanny resemblance to Yuan Bao, hence symbolising wealth and profit. The tasty appetisers are also commonly eaten on birthdays and even during a casual meal.

#3 MANDARIN ORANGES

Mandarin Oranges are believed to bring prosperity thanks to its Cantonese pronunciation, which sounds similar to gold. It is part of Chinese New Year tradition to offer a pair of Mandarin Oranges to respected seniors and hosts during house visiting. Note that you can only give a pair, nothing more or less; two pairs is a ultimate taboo. This is because the total number of four sounds like the Chinese word for death.

#4 NIAN GAO CAKES

Nian Gao is a sticky rice cake and the direct translation of it literally means “year cake”. However, the word ‘gao’ also sounds like ‘high’ in Mandarin, hence the Chinese believes in eating these sweet steamed glutinous rice cake for it is symbolic of going to greater heights each year.

#5 PINEAPPLE TARTS

We seem to take the presence of Pineapple Tarts at every household during Chinese New Year for granted. But besides the obvious fact that it tastes heavenly, this buttery treat is well-loved for its Hokkien pronunciation “Ong Lai” – which actually means prosperity is arriving. Clearly, puns are the inspiration behind all these Chinese New Year goodies.

#6 POMELO FRUIT

The huge Asian citrus’ Cantonese name is similar to words related to prosperity and status, hence thought as a fruit that takes one on a prosperous journey. It is also symbolic of good health, fertility and family unity.

#7 TRAY OF TOGETHERNESS

A Tray Of Togetherness refers to the snack platter laid out at homes for visitors to munch on. It is usually a pentagon-shaped container with eight compartments – though many different forms are available too. The tray is filled with an assortment of sweets and savouries such as red melon seeds, bite-size candies or even preserved dry fruits.

Eight is believed to be an auspicious number among the Chinese and each snack symbolises a different meaning, i.e. red melon seeds represent happiness and longans are believed to bring one many sons.

#8 YU SHENG

Yu Sheng, otherwise known as Lo Hei, is an extremely popular Chinese New Year dish in Singapore. The raw fish salad is typically set up on a communal table and each ingredient constituting the yusheng is symbolic of their respective meaning(s). For example, the fish is seen as abundance aka wealth while shredded green radish represent eternal youth.

Read: Guide to Calories in 12 Popular Chinese New Year Goodies.