Chinese chives (jiu) sounds like "longevity," and turnip (caitou) shares pronunciation with "good omen." Alternatively, the shapes of vegetables may be auspicious. Thus, bean sprouts are shaped like Chinese ruyi sticks, and the term ruyi means "whatever you wish."
「發菜」與「發財」諧音；花菜是「花開富貴」；形狀像一柄如意的黃豆芽，成了「事事如意」；「韭」與「久」同音，有長久之意；大蘿蔔台語「菜頭」，同「彩頭」… …。