" Thousands of Cups of Longevity Wine Reflect Chinese Hair: The Origin and Contemporary Inheritance of Traditional Chinese Birthday Drinking Etiquette "
In traditional Chinese culture, wine is not only a manifestation of joy during banquets, but also a form of etiquette and human relations. The custom of drinking on birthdays has a long history and can be traced back to the ceremonial activities of respecting the elderly in the Pre-Qin Dynasty. There is such a record in "The Book of Songs·Binfeng·July": "For this spring wine is used to promote the longevity of the eyebrows." At that time, wine was used as a medium to pray for the health of the elderly. From the Han and Tang Dynasties to the Song and Yuan Dynasties, with the continuous improvement of brewing skills and the increasing prosperity of citizen culture, the wine used in birthday banquets gradually changed from the palace rituals to the secular folk customs, and then formed a set of systematic folk customs. It is really amazing! By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, longevity wine culture had reached a complete state. Its core lies not only in the mellow aroma of the wine, but also in the cultural essence of "filial piety and respect for elders" and the spiritual prayer of "good luck and good luck" it carries.
" Carrying Taoism with Wine: From "Serving Wine to Sake Longevity" to the Millennium Evolution of Folk Etiquette and Customs "
Regarding the historical evolution of drinking on birthdays, it deeply demonstrates the penetration of civilization contained in Chinese rituals and music. In the "Book of Rites and Quli" of the Han Dynasty, there is a way of treating guests such as "Don't scold the dog before honoring the guest, and let the food be eaten without spitting." It was a key ceremony to express respect. Most of the wine used at this time was rice wine, which was turbid in color and mellow in taste. It was very different from the distilled liquor of later generations. After the Tang and Song Dynasties, the distillation technology was introduced, and liquor, also called shochu, began to appear. However, it was not until the Yuan Dynasty that it slowly became popular. However, in such a solemn occasion as a birthday banquet, no matter how the types of wine evolve, the insistence on the quality bottom line of "pure grain brewing" has never changed. The ancients believed that "wine is used to achieve etiquette, not to disturb morality." When choosing wine, the first thing to value is its "orthodoxy." This is not only a pursuit of taste, but also a reflection of moral character.
" The Preface to Etiquette: Folk Regulations and Color Philosophy of Wine Used at Birthday Banquets "
There is a strict symbol system that exists in the folk etiquette regulations regarding the use of wine at birthday banquets. The first outstanding principle is that the festive and auspicious meaning takes priority. It is not produced by modern commercial marketing, but is based on the traditional theory of five elements and five colors. Red belongs to fire, governs etiquette, and symbolizes the passion and continuation of life. Therefore, for the traditional birthday banquet, the red lacquer tray is a must-have item, as is the red paper wine seal, and even the wine jar wrapped with red satin must be prepared. This admiration for red is in line with the solemnity of palace sacrifices, and is used to create the atmosphere of festive ceremonies that "full of joy". Wine utensils are also very particular. Wen Zhenheng of the Ming Dynasty described the banquet utensils in detail in "Chronicles of Longevity". For birthday banquets, gourd-shaped wine bottles, which symbolize "long life", or porcelain pots with patterns of "five blessings and longevity" are used to serve wine. Every detail is a silent expression of cultural symbols.
" Special Customs in the North and South: Regional Cultural Identity in the Fragrance of Wine "
The Chinese nation is extremely vast and its territory is vast. When it comes to drinking wine at birthday banquets, the differences in customs between regions are fully demonstrated. The north is located in the Yellow River Basin, with a cold climate and simple people's customs. Most of them admire strong wines with rich aroma and sharp taste, such as Fenjiu and Xifeng wine. Their light-flavor or phoenix-flavor characteristics match well with the generous toasting etiquette in the north. There is a saying that "you can't have a banquet without wine". The stronger the wine, the deeper the feelings. In Jiangnan, a place with water town characteristics and prosperous culture, people prefer mild, soft and delicate rice wine or strong-flavor liquor with a soft and sweet taste, such as Guyue Longshan, Yanghe Daqu, etc. In the old-style birthday banquets in Suzhou, there is even a custom of mixing rice wine with shredded ginger and plum blossoms before drinking it warm. The purpose is to "neutralize" the characteristics of the wine, protect the spleen and stomach, and show the unique delicacy and consideration for the elderly in Jiangnan culture. This difference is precisely the vivid explanation and proof of the "diversity and unity" characteristic of Chinese culture.
" The Essence of Filial Piety: The Humanistic Temperature and Times Value Behind Longevity Wine "
Explore the cultural spiritual core of the drinks used in birthday banquets. Its essence is the actual practice of "filial piety" and the cohesion of family emotions. The ancients said this: "The husband's filial piety is the scripture of heaven, the righteousness of the earth, and the conduct of the people." When holding a birthday banquet, the younger generations offer drinks to the birthday star one by one. This seemingly simple ceremony is actually a strengthening of family ethics and an exchange of intergenerational emotions. At this time, wine transcends the nature of just a drink and becomes a link connecting blood and family ties. Entering modern society, its value connotation showing the characteristics of the times has not disappeared, but has become more prominent. In the fast-paced life, there is a carefully prepared birthday party and a carefully selected bottle of good wine. This has become a crucial way for children to express gratitude and make up for the lack of companionship. It serves to remind us that in today's increasingly affluent world, respect and care for elders are always the cornerstone of maintaining family harmony and social stability.
" New brews from ancient fermented grains: the revitalization and innovation of traditional cultural orthodoxy in contemporary times "
In the current context that emphasizes contemporary times, the wine used in birthday banquets must not only strictly follow ancient precepts, but also be able to progress with the times. On the one hand, we must adhere to the bottom line of the process of "pure grain brewing" and resist the situation of shoddy brewing. This is a respect for traditional brewing wisdom. On the other hand, modern elements can be skillfully incorporated, such as customizing an exclusive wine label with the birthday boy’s name and blessings, and combining traditional auspicious patterns with modern design aesthetics. This not only retains the “good meaning”, but also gives the wine a unique commemorative meaning. First, in terms of banquet matching, in addition to traditional liquor, we also moderately introduce herbal wine or high-quality fruit wine that conforms to the health concept. This can not only take care of the needs of different guests, but also conform to the modern health concept. This is a positive guide to the new trend of "health concept wine". In the end, there will be a pot of good wine that will fill the room with spring, allowing the ancient longevity culture to shine more mellowly in the new era. This is the epitome of the endless growth of Chinese culture.
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