Tossing Tradition of Yee Sang!
16 January 2025
A day filled with love, laughter, good food, and the 'angpows' truly picture what Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is all about. Among the many meaningful traditions, one of the most interesting ones would be the tossing of 'Yee Sang'. For those who might be unfamiliar with it, picture a colourful salad served on a large plate, surrounded by family members with chopsticks in hand, all eager to toss in the ingredients.
Yee sang is no ordinary dish, it is much more than just food. It's a colourful celebration on a plate. The traditional Yee Sang includes ingredients such as white radish, salmon, crackers, pickled ginger, and alot more variety of colourful raw vegetables. It's often seen topped with sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, and sweet sauces as well. This is believed to bring all good fortune together for the year ahead. Although the core ingredients remain the same, there's no single right way to make it as the dish has many variations, with a little twist.
Each ingredient is supposed to carry its own significant meaning. The salmon in the platter symbolises abundance, the vegetables represent growth, and the crackers are said to bring wealth. The sweet sauces are meant to add sweetness to life. Together, all these ingredients create a fresh start, filled with hope for the year ahead.
This tradition has been passed down through generations, and each toss has its own meaning behind it. Tossing the Yee Sang is believed to bring good fortune, prosperity, and growth in the year to come. The act of tossing the Yee Sang itself is fun, with everyone gathered around the table, tossing the salad (Yee Sang) as high as possible with chopsticks. This happens while all the family members shout the word "Lo hei," which means toss up for good fortune. The higher you toss, the more prosperity and success you will bring into your life.
The beauty of this tradition extends beyond family gatherings into the broader community. Workplaces have embraced this festive custom as a way to strengthen bonds and welcome prosperity together. At Monash University Malaysia, for instance, different departments often organise their own Yee Sang sessions, transforming a traditional family ritual into a cherished workplace celebration that brings colleagues closer. This evolution of the custom shows how cultural traditions can adapt and thrive in different settings whilst maintaining their core values of unity, prosperity, and joy.
As we celebrate the Lunar New Year, tossing Yee Sang reminds us of the importance of togetherness and hope for the future. At Monash University Malaysia, the spirit of Lunar New Year is embraced with great joy. Our multicultural campus brings students from all over the world together, creating an inclusive and diverse community. As we enjoy this festive season, we wish everyone a year filled with prosperity, growth, and love.