Yusheng

Yusheng (Chinese: 鱼生; pinyin: yúshēng) or yee sang (from Cantonese) is a raw fish salad that was originated 1,500 years ago in China during the Song Dynasty Reign at the southern Chinese coastal area. Base on translation of the Cantonese word Yee Sang, this dish symbolises abundance and liveliness

According to the Chinese mythology and legends, a Chinese female deity known as Nüwa (Creation Goddess) created mankind from yellow clay and mud on the 7th day of the first lunar new year month after separating heaven and earth. Since there no such thing as birthdays during the old times, the 7th day was chosen as a day to celebrate Man’s Birthday (Yan Yat in Cantonese).

It is believe that during the old times, the fisherman and seafearer who live in the coastal area of southern china were very aware of this myth and also strong devotees fo NuWa, feast and toss (or lou sang in Cantonese) Yu Sheng not just to commemorate this event and also as a sign of thanks and respect to Nuwa.

As the coastal people in Southern China migrate in search for a better life to Southeast Asia country such as Malaysia and Singapore, the Chinese people from that region bring along this traditional dish and celebrate their Chinese New Year overseas. However with the isolation of these Chinese communities in Malaysia and SIngapore from their mainland China couple with western influence and political hardship, the tossing Yu Shang strictly on the 7th Day of Chinese New Year are not being observed and slowly abandoned.

Now in modern times the dish Yu Sheng is served and tossed energetically in Chinese Restaurant (especially in Malaysia and in Singapore), any time and any day during the Chinese New year period as it create the ambience of the festive season. Interestingly the dish Yu Sheng is rarely to be seen in Hong Kong and other provinces of China (except in Guangdong)