Fish has always been seen as a bringer of luck among the Chinese community especially during Chinese New Year. The reason behind most things being considered lucky among the Chinese, including fish, is due to homonyms.
So, homonyms are basically words that when pronounced, have similar sounds to something with a good meaning. The Chinese believe that when it comes to celebrating the Lunar New Year, it is imperative to have things that are positive homonyms for words like ‘health’, ‘wealth’ and ‘prosperity’. This attracts good energy and a flow of positivity into the house while the new year is being ushered in.
Prosperity with Salmon
So, fish is considered as a lucky food because fish or ‘Yu’, in Mandarin, sounds a lot like the words for ‘excess’. Therefore, having steamed fish on the table during Chinese New Year is interpreted as an auspicious symbol for wealth. However, today, I am going to use logic to explain the significance of fish in bringing luck during Chinese New Year. I promise, it is going to make more sense later.
During Chinese New Year, the most popular fish used when preparing a Chinese New Year dish is salmon. Salmon is a wonderful fish. It’s fatty, it’s flavourful and most importantly, it’s a versatile fish that can be cooked in any way possible and still tastes absolutely delicious!
Now, the question is, how salmon can bring prosperity or ‘huat’ to you this Chinese New Year? I have 5 answers ready for you.
1. Rich In Healthy Fats
Salmon is rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and have been shown to be able to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and decrease risk factors for disease. This is because, salmon is one of the best sources of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
Unlike most other fats, omega-3 fats are considered “essential,” meaning you must get them from your diet since your body can’t create them. I guess now we know why fish, salmon especially, brings the ‘huat’ to you, health-wise.
2. Make You Sleep Soundly
As if there weren’t already enough positive health benefits for eating salmon is a good source of vitamin B6, which promotes the production of sleep hormone called melatonin.
So, don’t feel surprise after a hearty meal of salmon, you will be feeling tired and sleepy.
3. It’s a Superfood
Salmon is definitely a well-known superfood. With its multiple benefits including being a good source of protein that not only help in reducing risk of heart disease but also can help you to lose weight. There are many more reasons on why salmon is a superfood but I personally feel, just the three of the reasons I listed are more than enough to convince anyone to think of salmon as an auspicious food. I see the ‘huat’ it can bring. Do you see it too?
4. Great Brain Booster
The foods we eat have a big impact on the structure and health of our brains. Eating a brain-boosting diet can support both short- and long-term brain function.
So if you start having some trouble remembering things or always feeling lethargic and brain ‘dead’ sometimes, my suggestion is eat more salmon. Deep-water fish, such as salmon, are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are essential for brain function.
5. It’s Delicious!
If none of the benefits above impresses you and make you see the logic behind the ‘huat’ness of fish, I think this reasoning is good enough to convert you towards salmon or fish, in general.
Salmon is delicious! It is great either eaten raw, steamed, grilled or even fried. Besides, don’t you want to eat something nice during a joyous occasion like celebrating Chinese New Year?
Get More ‘Huat’ This Year!
I hope these 5 reasons are good enough to convince you to bring more salmon dishes to the table this Chinese New Year. If you are looking for more ways to include Salmon this year of the Rat, you can check out some of these recipes, like Chef Nik Michael’s fresh Yee Sang or Steamed Salmon Head with Salted Soya Bean Garlic Chilli Sauce recipe, courtesy of the Norwegian Seafood Council or more salmon-related recipes, check them all out on Butterkicap!