Auspicious Chinese sayings for lo hei at every step

Let’s get real: The fun part about eating yusheng is the prosperity toss, or what we call lo hei. That’s when we gather round the table with our loved ones and have a hand in preparing our food by adding and tossing the ingredients of yusheng while uttering well wishes for one another – all in the name of being auspicious.
However, more often than not, we find ourselves stumped by what to say, with the addition of each ingredient. Did you know that there are at least 16 traditional auspicious sayings for lo hei, besides “huat ah!”?
Here’s the definitive guide to what to say at each step.
Meaning: Prosperity every year!
Meaning: Good luck and prosperity!
Meaning: Incoming wealth!
Meaning: May you make a thousand-fold profit from your investment!
Meaning: May money pour in from all directions!
Meaning: May opportunity strike you!
Meaning: Stay young forever!
Meaning: May you rise higher with each step!
Meaning: May you have success and promotion at work!
Meaning: May your house be full of gold and silver!
Meaning: Prosperity for your business!
Meaning: May your floor be splashed full of gold!
Meaning: May your life be sweet!
Meaning: May everything be good and smooth!
Say this: As you start to toss the Yu sheng.
Meaning: May your body stay strong and healthy!
Meaning: Wishing everyone great wealth!
This article was first published in The Singapore Women’s Weekly.