China, as a country of etiquette, has always attached great importance to etiquette. Meng Ke said in "Mencius Li Lou": "It is wise to leave the building, and it is clever to lose the son. If you don't follow the rules, you can't make a square." All kinds of rules in traditional etiquette are complicated, whether the emperor worships heaven, the official goes to court or the people eat, there are all kinds of rules.
In our traditional culture, even eating has a set of strict etiquette rules. Due to the changes of the times, traditional etiquette has been simplified a lot. Even so, some basic etiquette still exists on the dining table of our people. For example, in many places, there are still many established table rules.
▲ table manners 1
As the saying goes, "If you don't put three dishes, you won't get five chopsticks, and you won't get six seats". Some friends must be worried. What do these words mean? Experts say it is full of worldly wisdom. In ancient China, the etiquette of welcoming guests was complicated. First of all, the arrival of guests is usually invited by the host. After the arrival of the guests, the host will go out to greet them, then lead the guests into the living room and offer refreshments for a while. When it's time for a formal meal, the host will guide the guests to their seats. And this time is also very particular, in addition to the distinction between host and guest, but also according to the different identities of visitors in different seats. When having a formal meal, there are different rules for toasting and serving dishes. But these rules are easy to understand now, but there is a rule that "dishes don't put three dishes" is really puzzling. What's wrong with three dishes?
actually, there are two reasons for this rule. On the one hand, it is because when the ancients sacrificed their ancestors, the amount of tributes or tribute wine was generally three or three cups. Therefore, if three dishes are placed during the banquet, it is very unlucky and it will also make the host lose face.
▲ Dishes don't set three
On the other hand, it is due to homophonic. China people pay attention to homophonic words and sentences, and "three" is homophonic with "scattered" and "mourning", so the meaning is not good. Because of these two reasons, the ancients would not put three dishes on the dinner table. 2
And the origin of the rule "chopsticks don't make five" is similar to the reason of "dishes don't put three" mentioned above. But in the specific operation, there are two kinds of arguments. One argument is that there can't be two kinds of chopsticks on the table-tears chopsticks and sticky chopsticks, and three ways to put chopsticks-horizontal chopsticks, fork chopsticks and inverted chopsticks.
▲ example of "pouring chopsticks"
Tears chopsticks refer to chopsticks that are still carrying water and have not been dried; Sticky chopsticks refer to chopsticks with dishes. It is very impolite to put such chopsticks in front of guests. The horizontal chopsticks, fork chopsticks and inverted chopsticks are placed in the wrong way. Chopsticks are round at the top and round at the bottom, which coincides with the meaning of heaven and round place. When placed neatly in front of the guests, it is a divination: Kun is on the ground and Tian Tai is on the ground. This divinatory symbol indicates a smooth and peaceful future, so the correct placement of chopsticks is a blessing to the guests. If chopsticks are placed at random, it will destroy this meaning, which is not appropriate for the guests.
there is another saying about "chopsticks don't make five", that is, you can't put five chopsticks. Because five chopsticks are easily associated with three long and two short, which is also an unlucky hint. The ancients thought that chopsticks must be placed in pairs, and there should be no extra chopsticks on the table.
▲ chopsticks arrangement etiquette 3
As for "one seat does not sit for six", it is more interesting to interpret. As we all know, China people like symmetry, which can be said to be vividly expressed in the ancient buildings in China. Similarly, at the dinner table, China people also pay attention to symmetry.
If eight people are seated, they must be seated in four directions: east, west, north and south. If ten people are present, it is three to three plus two to two; Then, if six people are seated, it will be two-to-two plus one-to-one. However, this seating style looks particularly like a turtle from above. Therefore, when six people sit at the table, it becomes a "tortoise and tortoise" table. Although the tortoise is a symbol of longevity in the eyes of the ancients, it is not appropriate to do so when eating, so "not sitting at the table for six" has become a rule of eating. However, modern people rarely pay attention to this.
▲ Eating photos
Sima Qian said in Biography of Li Shi, "The king regards the people as the sky, and the people regard food as the sky." It can be seen that food is important to the people, and dining etiquette is not inferior to other etiquette norms. Understand the meaning of these table cultures, but also better understand our traditional culture. Although people are no longer so particular about table manners, especially during daily family meals, everyone's state is relatively relaxed. In the workplace or business banquets, there are still some dining etiquette. Conclusion
From the 199s to the beginning of this century, western food became popular in China, and the corresponding western etiquette was often talked about, as if eating a meal for several spoons. It is exquisite to change a few plates. In fact, China's table manners really need to be studied, and its connotation and form are also very interesting.