Since the word 'noshi' (meaning "expanding" or "flattening" in Japanese) implies longevity, abalone was believed to be an auspicious food that prolonged life, and has been used as sacred food offered to Shinto gods since ancient times in Japan.
「のし」は延寿に通じ、アワビは長寿をもたらす食べ物とされたため、古来より縁起物とされ、神饌として用いられてきた。