The Essence of Dumplings:Celebrating Winter Solstice and New Year

◎史 珺

美食文化是一個國家和民族傳統文化的重要組成部分，它不僅代表著當地的飲食特色，也反映了人民的生活方式和文化價值。為此，編輯部策劃了“美食”主題文章。2024年《中國風》欄目，我們將每期介紹一種美食。本期，請跟隨我們的腳步走進“餃子”的世界。

Chinese1)cuisine is known for its deep cultural significance,particularly during festivals.Among its diverse dishes, dumplings, orjiaozi, hold a special place.

In northern China, people generally eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice, a custom signifying a warm winter.This tradition stems from the medicinal dumplings created by Zhang Zhongjing in the Eastern Han Dynasty, originally meant to warm the body and heal frostbitten ears.

Another significant time for dumplings is the Lunar New Year.On Lunar New Year’s Day, families gather to make and enjoy dumplings.The act of making dumplings, with their ingotlike shape, is considered a way of welcoming wealth in the coming year.

Over the centuries, dumplings evolved.During the Three Kingdoms to the Southern and Northern Dynasties period,they were enjoyed with soup, similar to wontons, and were a favorite among all ages.This style is still popular.And in northern China, dumplings are commonly eaten with a dipping sauce made of vinegar and chili oil, and occasionally with some soy sauce added in.

2)Archaeological discoveries in Chongqing from the Three Kingdoms period include terracotta3)sculptures depicting chefs cooking various dishes, with dumplings prominently featured.This indicates the popularity of dumplings even back then.

Dumplings represent the warmth of family and the richness of Chinese culture.They are more than a dish;they are a cherished tradition,bringing together generations in a shared experience of cooking and feasting.From their medicinal origins to their4)integral role in festivals,dumplings have transcended time,becoming a symbol of family unity,cultural heritage, and the enduring spirit of the Chinese people.

1) cuisinen.烹飪；菜肴

2) archaeologicaladj.考古的

3) sculpturen.雕塑

4) integraladj.必需的

中國飲食以其深厚的文化意義而聞名，特別是在節日中。在眾多不同的美食中，餃子占據了特殊的位置。

在北方，人們通常在冬至這天吃餃子，這是一種意味著溫暖冬天的習俗。這一傳統源自東漢張仲景創造的藥用餃子，最初意在溫暖身體，治療凍傷的耳朵。

另一個重要的吃餃子時刻是春節。在新年那一天，家庭成員聚集在一起制作和享用餃子。因為餃子形似元寶，所以制作餃子寓意招財進寶。

隨著時間的流逝，餃子經歷了演變。在三國至南北朝時期，餃子是與湯一起享用的，類似于餛飩，適合所有年齡段的人食用。這種吃法一直流傳至今。當然，在北方，餃子通常是蘸醋、辣油吃，有時還會加點醬油。

考古學家在重慶發現的一座三國時期的墓葬中出土了陶塑。這些陶塑雕刻著廚師烹飪各種美食的場景，其正中央就是餃子。可見，在三國時期，餃子已經成為人們喜愛的食物。

餃子代表了家庭的溫暖和豐富的中國文化。它不僅是一道美食，而且是一種對傳統的珍愛，將不同代際的人們通過共同的烹飪和飲食體驗聚集在一起。從藥用起源到在節日中的核心角色，餃子超越了時間，成為家庭團結、文化傳承的象征。