Ceremonies Of Food Essay Research Paper Ceremonies

Ceremonies Of Food Essay, Research Paper

Ceremonies of Food

That the consumption of food is an essential part of the chemical process we call life, is obvious. But food is more than just vital to our continued physical existence. Food comforts, as well as sustains us, and there are few events or situations marking a person’s life that fail to involve eating. In most cultures, food is pivotal to ceremonies involving the living and the dead; birth and death are often accompanied by food rituals and superstitions. For the Chinese, these particular events are marked with the preparation and consumption of special foods with symbolic, and often punning, meanings. Food semantics offer a fruitful inquiry into the Chinese social system.

Birth and Birthday Celebrations

Even before the birth of a child, the celebration of his life begins. In many western cultures, a party or “baby shower” is given to help the new family. Gifts for the baby are given in order to assist the parents in clothing, protecting, and caring for the newborn infant. After the birth of the child, relatives and friends often prepare and deliver meals while the parents adapt to the routine of an infant.

In China, numerous special foods and dishes attended confinement and childbirth. Most frequently friends would send stalks of grain called man-t’ou which meant “share the pain.” During the month following the baby’s birth, the mother will traditionally eat at least 1 poached egg a day, as well as some chicken or chicken soup with her meals. A variety of other internal animal organs, such as liver, kidney, brain, stomach and intestines are valued and desirable foods.

After the birth of the baby, especially a son, the mother’s family will send over gifts of expensive foods such as wheat flour, wheat flour noodles, chickens and eggs. These are primarily intended for the new mother in order for her to regain her strength. The father’s family makes a number of red-dyed eggs and distributes them to relatives and neighbors, much like the giving of cigars in America.

In Judeo-Christian cultures, there are religious ceremonies that traditionally take place within one year of the baby’s birth. For Christians, the baby is baptized. In the Jewish faith, if the child is male, a bris (circumcision) is performed. Following both of these ceremonies, it is common for the parents to host a party honoring these rituals. At the very least cake and punch is served; however, there is often a more formal affair in which heavy hors d’oeuvres or a buffet and champagne are served.

In China, babies are traditionally not bathed for three days. On the third day, relatives are invited to view the newest family member. When the baby is thirty days old, an official celebration is held when friends join in the festivities. These are called “First Moon Parties.” Each visitor brings the baby a gift of a brightly colored and often elaborately decorated egg. Parents also present red eggs to guests that symbolize life and joy. Good luck charms, necklaces, and lockets are also frequently given. Tigers are a popular theme as they are symbols of strength and courage and the giver hopes the baby will grow up to be as strong and brave.

The western custom of giving parties on birthdays goes back to the days when people believed that good and evil spirits appeared at the time of a child’s birth and influenced him throughout his life. Birthdays were believed to be filled with unknown dangers because they marked a time change from one year to the next. Having a party surrounded the child with good friends and relatives who shower him with good wishes, scaring away evil spirits so they could not get close enough to do him harm.

On the first birthday of a Chinese baby, a party is held. The baby is dressed in brightly colored new clothes with a round hat. These clothes will often be embroidered in gold and silver threads. At the party, the baby is placed in the middle of a table on which many objects are placed. Whichever object the baby reaches for first is thought to show his future. For example, if the child reaches for a book, he will be a scholar; if the object first sought is an abacus, he may become a businessman.

At both the First Moon Party and the First Birthday Party, many delicious foods are served. The more elaborate and expensive the dishes, the more prestigious for the family. Chicken, duck, fish and vegetables are common. Noodles are always served at any Chinese birthday dinner as they signify a long life. And because it takes many noodles to fill a bowl, they also mean “many happy returns of the day.” Another custom is the serving of pastries molded and baked in the shape of peaches painted red. These symbolize an ancient Chinese legend about an immortal lady with her “magic” fruit and wish the child a long life.

Death Rituals

The Chinese have a deep belief and many superstitions surrounding ancestor worship. Included as a large part of this worship was the ritual feeding of the dead. People offered food to their ancestors in the belief of keeping “hungry ghosts” happy. This showed the livings’ continued respect as well as ensuring that the departed would watch over and protect them in this world.

In ancient China a poem related in the Li Yun section of the Li Chi states: When one died, they (the living) went up on the housetop an