Chopsticks are not only an indispensable tool for Chinese people to eat every day, but also a unique tool for eating in China. Chopsticks have been used by Chinese people for at least 3000 years.
However, the earliest chopsticks were not called chopsticks. According to records, chopsticks in the pre Qin period were called "Jia", in the Han Dynasty they were called "Zhou" and only in the Ming Dynasty were they called "chopsticks".
Since ancient times, Chinese people have paid more attention to food, so they are also ingenious in their own food tools, which are also endowed with profound connotation.
For example, chopsticks are round at one end, the round one symbolizes the sky, and the square one symbolizes land acquisition, which means "the sky is round and the place is round". This is also the Chinese understanding of the basic principles of the world.
Chopsticks first spread from China to Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia and other countries with Han culture circle
Later, it was spread to Southeast Asia and other countries.
How Guan and chopsticks were introduced into foreign countries? One of the most popular theories is that after the collapse of the Shang Zhou regime, their subjects, Jizi, brought their leaders to live on the Korean Peninsula.
It is said that before chopsticks were introduced into Japan, the Japanese almost ate with their hands. Chopsticks were introduced into Japan from China through the Korean Peninsula at the end of their lifetime. Only in the 8th century A.D. did they begin to be widely used and become a favorite food utensil in the whole country.
At that time, chopsticks were also called "Tang Zhou", meaning chopsticks from the Tang Dynasty.
Generally speaking, in terms of the length, the chopsticks in China are the longest, followed by those in South Korea and the last in Japan
The shape of chopsticks is also different, which is related to the different eating habits between countries
Our chopsticks are usually round and thick. Korean chopsticks are thin and flat. It's said that it's convenient to hold beans and tear kimchi in a small dish.
The Japanese shoal has a short head and a short body, which is related to the Japanese love to eat fish, because it is more suitable for picking fish bones
In addition to East Asia, chopsticks were introduced into Europe in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties.
At first, Europeans used to grab rice with their hands. After the Renaissance, they began to eat with knives and forks.
During the Qing Dynasty, many European missionaries, businessmen and tourists came to China, and Chinese also went to Europe, which formed the spread of culture.
In the 20th year of Kangxi, Shen Fuzong, a native of Nanjing, went to Europe with the Jesuits of Belgium, and was received by Louis XIV, the French king. At the banquet, the king asked Shen Fuzong to teach him how to use Chinese tableware. Shen Fuzong picked up the ivory chopsticks imported from China and taught the king how to use them. Later, chopsticks spread in the upper class of France.
Later, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands began to follow suit.
Chopsticks are popular in Europe
Shen Fuzong invented chopsticks and spread them to different countries in the world. Chopsticks also have different forms according to different cultural characteristics.
It also reflects the Chinese people's sharing and tolerance of excellent culture.
However, there must be differences in the way of eating utensils, which is also a reflection of the cultural diversity of the world. We should respect different cultures.