Cultural connotations of Chinese food

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Is there any major holiday that isn't celebrated with a special festive food? Given the important role food plays in Chinese culture, it is not surprising that many foods have symbolic meanings. The symbolic significance of a food may be based on its appearance or on how the Chinese word is pronounced. Here are several symbolic Chinese foods:

哪个特殊的中国节日会没有美食的陪伴呢？美食在中华文化中扮演着重要角色，也自然地有了象征意义。食物的象征意义可以来源于外形本身或者名字发音。以下是一些中华文化中极具象征性的食物：

Eggs

Eggs hold a special symbolic significance in many cultures, and China is no exception. The Chinese believe eggs symbolize fertility. After a baby is born, parents may hold a "red egg and ginger party," where they pass out hard boiled eggs to announce the birth. (In some regions of China the number of eggs presented depends on the sex of the child: an even number for a girl, and an odd number for a boy).

鸡蛋在很多文化中都有着特殊的象征意义，在中国也不例外。中国人相信鸡蛋象征着繁衍。婴儿出生后，父母可以组织一个"红鸡蛋和生姜宴"，传递煮好的鸡蛋以宣布新生儿的出生。（在中国有些地区，拿出的鸡蛋个数代表着孩子的性别：偶数代表女孩，奇数代表男孩。）

Noodles

Noodles are a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture. They are as much a part of a Chinese birthday celebration as a birthday cake with lit candles is in many countries. Since noodles do symbolize long life, it is considered very unlucky to cut up a strand.

面条在中华文化中是长寿的象征。在中式的生日庆祝中，面条的角色不亚于很多国家点着蜡烛的生日蛋糕。鉴于面条象征长寿，切断面条被看作是非常不吉利的做法。

Fish

Although westerners sometimes balk at the sight of a entire fish lying on a plate, in China a fish served whole is a symbol of prosperity. In fact, at a banquet it is customary to serve the whole fish last, pointed toward the guest of honor. Fish also has symbolic significance because the Chinese word for fish, yu, sounds like the word for riches or abundance, and it is believed that eating fish will help your wishes come true in the year to come.

尽管西方人看到一整条鱼躺在盘子里有时会犹豫不前，然而在中国，端上的整条鱼是富饶的象征。事实上，宴会的习俗是最后端上整鱼，鱼头对着贵宾。鱼的象征意义也来自于中文中“鱼”的发音，和表示富有和充裕的"余"同音，而且人们相信吃鱼会让他们在来年心想事成。

Duck

If you are ever invited to a Chinese wedding banquet, don't be surprised to spot a mouthwatering platter of Peking duck on the banquet table. Ducks represent fidelity in Chinese culture. Also, red dishes are featured at weddings as red is the color of happiness.

如果你被邀请参加中式婚宴，看到宴桌上让人垂涎三尺的北京烤鸭不要大惊小怪噢。鸭子在中华文化中象征忠诚。而且，红色菜肴是婚礼的特色，因为红色是象征幸福的颜色。

Chicken

In Chinese culture, chicken forms part of the symbolism of the dragon and phoenix. At a Chinese wedding, chicken's feet (sometimes referred to as phoenix feet) are often served with dragon foods such as lobster. Chicken is also popular at Chinese New Year, symbolizing a good marriage and the coming together of families.

在中华文化中，鸡是组成龙和凤凰的一部分。在中式婚礼上，鸡爪（有时被称为“凤爪”）通常和与龙有关的食物（比如龙虾）一起被奉上 。鸡也是中国新年庆祝的一部分，象征婚姻美满和家庭团聚。

Seeds (lotus seeds, watermelon seeds, etc)

Visit an Asian bakery during the Chinese New Year, and you're likely to find a wide assortment of snacks with different types of seeds in them. The seed-filled treats represent bearing many children in Chinese culture.

在中国春节期间去糕点房看看，你很可能就看到种类繁多的中国小吃，由不同种类的种子制成。包着种子的小吃在中国文化中象征多子。

Fruit (Tangerines, Oranges and Pomelos)

Tangerines and oranges are passed out freely during Chinese New Year as the words for tangerine and orange sound like luck and wealth, respectively. As for pomelos, this large ancestor of the grapefruit signifies abundance, as the Chinese word for pomelo sounds like the word for "to have."

中国春节时候人们会赠送桔子和橙子，因为这两种水果的说法分别象征着吉祥和财富。 大个头柚子是葡萄柚的原种，象征着丰富，因为其中文发音和"有"接近。

Cake

What about the sweet, steamed cakes that are so popular during the Chinese New Year season? Cakes such as Sticky Rice Cake have symbolic significance on many levels. Their sweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life, while the layers symbolize rising abundance for the coming year. Finally, the round shape signifies family reunion.

中国春节期间广受欢迎的蒸糕又象征什么呢？像糯米糕之类的糕点在很多方面都有着象征意义。糕点本身的甜味象征着富足甜美的生活，而多层的糕点结构又象征着来年更上一层楼的富有。还有，圆圆的外形代表着家庭团聚。

Vegetables

In China, Chinese garlic chives symbolize eternity, while cone-shaped winter bamboo shoots are a symbol of wealth.

在中国，韭菜象征着永恒，锥形的冬笋象征财富。

Do not take for granted that a dish is just a simply food combination. Bear in mind the cultural elements – appreciate the blessing within.

不要认为菜肴只是简单的食物搭配而忽视它。牢记美食中蕴含的文化元素，感受食物被赋予的美好祝福吧。‍‍