My dear readers,

Should Christians "Lo Hei"?

This is a reprint of the pastoral written in March 2013, February 2018 and January 2023. Remembering our Christian witness during every lunar new year season is necessary. All of us can be faithful witnesses for Christ once again. “Lo Hei” is upon us once more. Please read this article and be encouraged so that you will know what to do and give a reason for what you believe for Christ’s sake.

“Lo Hei” has become very popular in Singapore. It is a practice observed by many during the Chinese New Year. Is this merely a cultural practice that bears no superstitious stigma or does it involve a gamut of superstitions? If believers participate in this traditional "lo hei" and it does have superstitious connotations, then it would be a transgression against God. However, if it does not, it is fine. Of course, the issue would be easily resolved if a verse states, "Thou shall not ‘lo hei’". However, the Bible does not explicitly cover every aspect in every believer's life, from all walks of life, and the many traditions; otherwise, the Bible would be thicker than a thousand-volume encyclopaedia! However, the Bible gives all believers sufficient guidelines to help them evaluate all traditions of all nationalities regardless of their age.

“Lo Hei” and “Yusheng” (or yee sang or yuu shang) are synonyms describing the same thing. It means "prosperity toss". It usually consists of strips of raw fish (the most commonly used fish is salmon), mixed with shredded vegetables including a variety of other ingredients and different types of sauces and condiments. "Yusheng" means "raw fish." "Yusheng" is made up of two Chinese words. "Yu" means "fish" which has its homophonic meaning "abundance". The words combined together have the homophonic meaning of "an increase in abundance."^[1] "Yusheng" is thus considered by the Chinese as a symbol of abundance and prosperity.

Its origin – "Fishermen along the coast of Guangzhou traditionally celebrated Renri, the seventh day of the Chinese New Year, by feasting on their catches. The practice of eating raw fish in thinly sliced strips can be traced back to ancient China through the raw fish or meat dish known as kuai (, kuài). However the present form of yusheng is believed to have started in Chaozhou and Shantou as far back as the Southern Song Dynasty. In Malaya's colonial past, migrants imported this tradition; porridge stalls sold a raw fish dish which is believed to have originated in Jiangmen, Guangdong province, that consisted of fish, turnip and carrot strips, which was served with condiments of oil, vinegar and sugar that were mixed in by customers. The modern yusheng dish debuted during the Lunar New Year of 1964 in Singapore's Lai Wah Restaurant (established in Sept 1963).” [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Yusheng]

The timing, manner and significance of the "yusheng" – “Yusheng is often served as part of a multi-dish dinner, usually as the appetizer due to its symbolism of "good luck" for the new year. Some would consume it on Renri, the seventh day of the Chinese New Year, although in practice it may be eaten on any convenient day during Chinese New Year (1^st to 15^th Day). The base ingredients are first served. The leader amongst the diners, or the restaurant server, proceeds to add ingredients such as the fish, the crackers and the sauces while saying "auspicious wishes" ( or Jíxiáng Huà) as each ingredient is added, typically related to the specific ingredient being added. For example, phrases such as Nian Nian You Yu () are uttered as the fish is added, as the word Yu (), which means "surplus" or "abundance", sounds the same as the Chinese word for fish (yu, ). All diners at the table then stand up and on cue proceed to toss the shredded ingredients into the air with chopsticks while saying various "auspicious wishes" out loud, or simply ", ". It is believed that the height of the toss reflects the height of the diner's growth in fortunes, thus diners are expected to toss enthusiastically." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusheng]

The meaning of the ingredients (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusheng)

• (Gong Xi Fa Cai) meaning “Congratulations for your wealth” (Wan Shi Ru Yi) meaning “May all your wishes be fulfilled”;
• The raw fish is added, symbolising abundance and excess through the year. (Nian Nian You Yu) meaning “Abundance through the year”, as the word "fish" in Mandarin also sounds like "Abundance";
• The pomelo or lime is added to the fish, adding luck and auspicious value. Da Ji Da Li meaning “Good luck and smooth sailing”;
• Pepper is then dashed over in the hope of attracting more money and valuables. Zhao Cai Jin Bao meaning “Attract wealth and treasures”;
• Then oil is poured out, circling the ingredients and encouraging money to flow in from all directions. Yi Ben Wan Li meaning “Make 10,000 times of profit with your capital” Cai Yuan Guang Jin meaning “Numerous sources of wealth”; mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." We are to ensure that our lives bring glory to God at all times which means that we do not bring shame to the Name of Christ and to stumble Jews and Gentiles alike. The mention of these groups of people (the Jews, the Gentiles, and the church of God) in the believer's life covers everyone on earth. Personal preference and benefit do not enter into the equation of the believer's evaluation of what he can or cannot do in life. The glory of God is paramount to him. The visibility of God's glory in every believer's life has the potential to save souls, and God can use this to impact sinners to Christ, especially during every lunar New Year when believers stand true to Christ and are separate!

SUMMARY – "Lo Hei" must not be practised by believers for the sake of the glory of God. They must abstain from all appearance of evil and not do anything that is superstitious in nature which is sinful. This does not mean that believers cannot eat the food if they were to buy and mix it themselves. The "things" used to make this "lo hei" are created by God for us to eat. Believers can eat the concoction after it has been tossed, but if eating it will cause someone to stumble, then eating should also be avoided. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 8:8-9, “⁸But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. ⁹But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”

Even though believers ought not to "lo hei" when family members are doing it, how they do not participate is also very important. Believers ought not to be offensive. Kind words and a gentle explanation are needed to maintain a godly witness. Believers must exercise patience and longsuffering to guide those who need time to understand and obey gently. Angry words and a cantankerous spirit, especially a self-righteous spirit, are not the way of Christ in teaching and exhorting. Let us use patient education, which is always the way of Christ. Amen.

[1]Yusheng literally means "raw fish" but since "fish ()" is commonly conflated with its homophone "abundance ()", Yúshng () is interpreted as a homophone for Yúshng () meaning an increase in abundance. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusheng]