Chinese New Year celebrations are never complete without the lively, colorful, and symbolic tradition of Lo Hei, also known as the Yusheng tossing ceremony. Families, friends, and colleagues gather around a large platter of vibrant ingredients and toss them together while shouting Yusheng sayings and wishes for prosperity, happiness, and success.
Whether you are celebrating at home or participating in a reunion dinner at a restaurant, the ceremony can feel a little overwhelming if you are unsure about the lo hei sayings, the lohei phrases in order, or the correct yusheng sequence. Many people find themselves wondering which ingredient comes first and what phrase to say.
That is why we created this complete Lo Hei cheat sheet for 2026. This guide covers the traditional yu sheng sayings, the correct yusheng phrases, and the proper sequence of ingredients so you can confidently lead the ceremony.
If you have ever searched for lou hei sayings 2026, yusheng sayings 2026, or a quick yusheng cheat sheet, this guide will help you understand every step of the tradition.
Yusheng (鱼生) literally means “raw fish.” However, the pronunciation also sounds like “increase in abundance”, which makes it a powerful symbol of prosperity during Chinese New Year.
The dish is a colorful Teochew-style salad made with thinly sliced raw fish (often salmon), shredded vegetables, sauces, crackers, and spices. Each ingredient represents a specific blessing for the coming year.
During the ceremony, each ingredient is added one by one while participants recite yusheng sayings or auspicious yusheng wishes. Once all the ingredients are added, everyone stands up and tosses the salad together using chopsticks.
This act is called Lo Hei (捞起) in Cantonese, meaning “tossing up prosperity.” The belief is simple: the higher you toss the ingredients, the greater your fortune will rise in the coming year.
Because of this symbolism, the ceremony is not just about food—it is about sharing hope, abundance, and prosperity with loved ones.
If you are new to the ceremony, remembering the lohei phrases in order can be tricky. Below is a simple Lo Hei cheat sheet that shows the correct yusheng sequence, along with the traditional phrases and meanings.
This yusheng cheat sheet is perfect to keep open on your phone during your celebration.
| Step | Ingredient | Phrase (Pinyin) | Meaning |
| 1 | Greeting | 恭喜发财 (Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái) | Wishing prosperity |
| 2 | Raw Fish | 年年有余 (Nián Nián Yǒu Yú) | Abundance every year |
| 3 | Pomelo / Lime | 大吉大利 (Dà Jí Dà Lì) | Great luck and profit |
| 4 | Spices | 招财进宝 (Zhāo Cái Jìn Bǎo) | Attract wealth |
| 5 | Oil | 一本万利 (Yī Běn Wàn Lì) | 10,000-fold profit |
| 6 | Carrots | 鸿运当头 (Hóng Yùn Dāng Tóu) | Good luck approaching |
| 7 | Green Radish | 青春常驻 (Qīng Chūn Cháng Zhù) | Eternal youth |
| 8 | White Radish | 步步高升 (Bù Bù Gāo Shēng) | Step-by-step success |
| 9 | Peanuts | 金银满屋 (Jīn Yín Mǎn Wū) | House filled with gold |
| 10 | Sesame Seeds | 生意兴隆 (Shēng Yì Xīng Lóng) | Thriving business |
| 11 | Plum Sauce | 甜甜蜜蜜 (Tián Tián Mì Mì) | Sweet relationships |
| 12 | Crackers | 遍地黄金 (Biàn Dì Huáng Jīn) | Gold everywhere |
These lo hei sayings form the backbone of the ceremony and help guide participants through the entire ritual.
Below is a more detailed explanation of the yusheng sequence and the symbolic meaning behind each ingredient and phrase.
Before the ingredients are added, everyone at the table exchanges New Year greetings.
Say:
恭喜发财 (Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái)
Meaning:
“Congratulations and may you be prosperous.”
This is one of the most common yusheng wishes used during Chinese New Year celebrations.
The raw fish represents abundance and surplus wealth.
Say:
年年有余 (Nián Nián Yǒu Yú)
Meaning:
“May you have abundance every year.”
This phrase is one of the most widely used yu sheng sayings during Lo Hei.
Citrus fruits symbolize good fortune and luck.
Say:
大吉大利 (Dà Jí Dà Lì)
Meaning:
“Great luck and great prosperity.”
Spices symbolize adding flavor and excitement to life.
Say:
招财进宝 (Zhāo Cái Jìn Bǎo)
Meaning:
“May wealth and treasures flow into your life.”
Oil is poured over the ingredients in a circular motion to represent smooth success.
Say:
一本万利 (Yī Běn Wàn Lì)
Meaning:
“May your investments multiply ten thousand times.”
Alternative lo hei sayings often used here include:
财源广进 (Cái Yuán Guǎng Jìn)
Meaning: “May wealth flow from many sources.”
Carrots symbolize good luck and positive energy.
Say:
鸿运当头 (Hóng Yùn Dāng Tóu)
Meaning:
“Great luck is approaching.”
Green radish represents youth, vitality, and longevity.
Say:
青春常驻 (Qīng Chūn Cháng Zhù)
Meaning:
“May you stay forever young.”
White radish symbolizes growth and career advancement.
Say:
步步高升 (Bù Bù Gāo Shēng)
Meaning:
“May you rise step by step.”
Another popular yusheng phrase is:
风生水起 (Fēng Shēng Shuǐ Qǐ)
Meaning: “May you rise rapidly in success.”
Peanuts symbolize longevity and prosperity.
Say:
金银满屋 (Jīn Yín Mǎn Wū)
Meaning:
“May your home be filled with gold and silver.”
Sesame seeds symbolize business growth.
Say:
生意兴隆 (Shēng Yì Xīng Lóng)
Meaning:
“May your business flourish.”
The sweet sauce symbolizes happiness and harmonious relationships.
Say:
甜甜蜜蜜 (Tián Tián Mì Mì)
Meaning:
“May life be sweet and joyful.”
Crackers represent gold nuggets and wealth.
Say:
遍地黄金 (Biàn Dì Huáng Jīn)
Meaning:
“May the ground be covered in gold.”
This is the most exciting moment of the ceremony.
Everyone stands up, grabs chopsticks, and tosses the salad high while shouting yusheng wishes.
Common shouts include:
“Huat Ah!” – Prosper!
“Lo Hei!” – Tossing prosperity!
This energetic moment symbolizes lifting prosperity and good fortune into the new year.
Besides the traditional phrases, many people like to add their own yusheng wishes during the toss.
Examples include:
• Good health for the whole family
• Business success and promotions
• Academic success for children
• Wealth and financial prosperity
• Happiness and harmony in relationships
Using extra yusheng sayings 2026 during the toss adds even more excitement to the celebration.
To make the ceremony more meaningful and fun, follow these tips:
Tradition says the higher you toss, the higher your fortunes will rise.
A messy table symbolizes overflowing abundance.
The ceremony should involve everyone at the table—from children to grandparents.
Many hosts keep a lo hei cheat sheet or yusheng cheat sheet on their phone so they can easily remember the lohei phrases in order.
What happens if I say the Yusheng sayings in the wrong order?
Do not worry. While there is a traditional yusheng sequence, the spirit of the celebration is more important than perfection. Even if you mix up a few yu sheng sayings, the wishes still count.
Can I prepare Yusheng at home?
Yes. Many supermarkets sell ready-made Yusheng kits during Chinese New Year. You only need to add sashimi-grade salmon and follow the yusheng cheat sheet to recreate the ceremony at home.
Are modern variations of Lo Hei sayings allowed?
Absolutely. Many families adapt the traditional lo hei sayings with personalized wishes for career growth, travel, education, or health.
The tradition of Lo Hei tossing is one of the most exciting and symbolic rituals during Chinese New Year celebrations in Singapore and Malaysia. It brings people together to share food, laughter, and hopeful wishes for the future.
By understanding the correct yusheng sequence, remembering the traditional yusheng sayings, and using this detailed Lo Hei cheat sheet, you can confidently lead the ceremony in 2026.
So gather your family, prepare your platter, and get ready to shout your yusheng wishes with enthusiasm.
Toss high, celebrate loudly, and welcome a year filled with prosperity.
