Year-end gifts: the historical origin and cultural implications of the gift of wine during Chinese festivals
Going back to the origins of traditional Chinese festival etiquette and customs, the custom of giving wine can be said to have a very long history, and its historical evolution runs through the entire history of Chinese civilization. As early as the book "Zhou Li", there are already records of "winemen" being in charge of brewing wine and using it to supply sacrifices and entertain guests. At that time, wine was a precious item used to communicate between heaven and earth and to entertain relatives and friends. It was not until the Han Dynasty that due to Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions, grape varieties and brewing techniques began to enter the Central Plains for the first time. In "Historical Records: Biography of Dawan", there was a record that "the left and right people of Wan used Putao as wine", which laid clues for the introduction of wine in later generations and became a foreshadowing. However, at that time, rice wine made from grains was still the alcoholic beverage that occupied the mainstream market. Because of its scarcity and preciousness, wine was mostly only enjoyed exclusively in the palace and wealthy families. If you give wine as a gift, it is already a kind of folk etiquette that can show respect. . After the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, wine brewing gradually formed a scale. Especially in the Yuan Dynasty, with the integration of technology brought about by the Mongolian Western Expeditions, wine once became the wine used by the palace. It was used more and more frequently in festivals, and the gift of wine therefore carried richer values of the times and humanistic spirit.
Respecting elders and giving gifts to the elders: folk wisdom and festival rituals about how wine can be used to maintain health
In the ritual process of traditional Chinese festivals, offering wine to elders has always been a core part of expressing filial piety and blessings. People in ancient times knew that "wine is the best of all medicines." Especially during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with the development of medicine, people had a deeper understanding of the health value of wine. Li Shizhen described in detail in the "Compendium of Materia Medica" that wine has the effects of "warming the waist and kidneys, retaining color, and being cold-resistant", which is similar to the resveratrol, polyphenols and other substances found in wine found by modern science to "antioxidize, scavenge free radicals, and prevent and treat coronary heart disease." The mechanism is consistent, and the traditional way of giving wine to the elderly is to "cater to their liking" and "benefit their body and mind." For the elderly, white wine that is too strong and pungent is no longer the first choice. However, wine that is mild in nature and rich in nourishment has gradually become the new favorite of festivals. What is reflected behind this is the core point of the Chinese nation's meticulous and practical cultural spirit in the tradition of respecting the elderly. This is where true respect lies and the deep concern for the health of the elderly.
Women convey love: regional differences and aesthetic changes in how wine pleases the heart
To examine the differences in regional customs, the wine given to women also has a relatively unique evolution trajectory in history. In ancient times, women were not completely unrelated to wine. From Li Qingzhao's words "I often remember the sunset in the creek pavilion, I am so drunk that I don't know the way back", we can see the elegance of ladies in the Song Dynasty when drinking, but at that time they were Most of the wines consumed are sweet fruit wine or rice wine. In modern times, with the opening up of social atmosphere and the popularization of wine culture, the aesthetic standards for choosing wine as gifts for women have become more refined. Traditional etiquette emphasizes "observation of words and expressions". The same is true for modern wine gifts, but they focus more on the elegance of appearance and the softness of taste. Just like the ancients who admired flower paper and wore sachets, today's women are pursuing a "feeling" and sentiment when appreciating wine. This is in line with the tradition of Chinese etiquette and customs that has always focused on spiritual pleasure and the beauty of artistic conception. Whether it is "Merlot" with a gem-like color or "Zinfandel" with a very fragrant fruity aroma, behind its popularity lies the gift giver's deep understanding of women's independent aesthetics and their deep understanding of their delicate emotions. It is the contemporary aesthetic inheritance of the ancient gift of "reciprocating love".
Socializing with bosom friends: The contemporary value and cultural inheritance of wine as a means of conveying the truth
In this context of contemporary inheritance and innovation, gifting wine has gone beyond a simple material gift, and has been sublimated into an exchange at the core level of cultural spirituality. If you give wine to "hardcore" wine drinkers, it is the same situation as ancient literati giving each other the four treasures of the study and rare ancient books. What matters is recognition of taste and respect for professionalism. Equipped with an ice bucket or a decanter, this is not just an extension of folk etiquette, but also a deep response to common preferences. It is precisely that understanding and attention that makes the recipient "look at it differently". For "novices" who have just started to get involved in this field, adding a professional book shows the enthusiasm and friendliness of helping newcomers and spreading knowledge. This way of giving different gifts according to different situations and treating them according to levels is in line with the wisdom of "no one is left out, and no words are left out" in traditional Chinese ethics. Wine, an item imported from abroad, took root in the land of China and began to grow, and gradually integrated into the context of our festival celebrations. It has become a very good carrier that connects family and friendship, and carries health, taste and culture. It shows the strong vitality of Chinese culture that is inclusive and follows the development of the times.
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