Jiaozi is one of the traditional Chinese cuisines deeply enjoyed by Chinese people, as well as one of the symbols of Chinese elements. As to the origin of Jiaozi, here is a short story to be shared by people, who are interested in Chinese culture and would like to study Chinese in China.
During the Tang dynasty, Emperor Taizhong was quite fond of eating meat balls, but he disliked the oily ones, thus he commanded the chef to add some chopped vegetables into it to make it more insipid, the chef followed his order, to the chef’s dismay, the meat balls with chopped vegetables would not take shape, therefore, the chef conjured up with a brilliant idea which may seem fantastic for people who want to learn Chinese in China, he invented a dedicate skin for Jiaozi –a piece of dough to cover the meatball up, and then boil them , after tasting the Jiaozi, Emperor Taizong was so delighted that he claimed it a delicacy, since then the method of cooking Jiaozi was handed down.
As to the cultural Connotations of Jiaozi, it is more worth to be explored by people who are waiting to study Mandarin in China, Jiaozi enjoys a high reputation among many other food made of flour, which can be seen from the traditional festivals. The proverb has it that “people should have Jiao, Jiaozi on the New Year’s Day, noodles on the second day after it.” And it’s a custom to have Jiaozi on the New Years Eve as well as the New Years Day.
In pursuit of a better understanding of the popularity of Jiaozi among Chinese people, friends who’d like to study Chinese in China must be curious about the reason for that, well, since the Jiaozi in itself contains some auspicious connotations with it.
Friends who want to learn Chinese in China can see it from its shape, it resembles a shoe-shaped gold ingot, while eaten during the traditional festivals, its connotation of bringing in wealth and fortune well suits the desire for amassing fortunes for common people.
What’s more, there is another good connotation for people to study Mandarin in China to understand: During the family reunion occasions, the getting together of the whole family, making dumplings and sharing dumplings with each other in peace and harmony, will greatly deepens the affectionate and congenial atmosphere within the whole family.
Since Jiaozi has got many auspicious implied meanings within it, particular care has been devoted to the eating of it. It is especially true in the northern part of China, therefore, it is quite necessary for those to study Chinese in China to take a close look: firstly: the Jiaozi should be stuffed with dumplings, which forebodes a smooth and peaceful year, secondly, the whole family are encouraged to participate in the making of Jiaozi to resemble the unity and prosperous of the family, thirdly, straws should be used to cook the Jiaozi which, to the astonishment of people who are preparing to study Mandarin in China, indicates the successive upturning of living standards.
Besides, the following etiquettes are also need to be noticed by friends who are about to learn Chinese in China: the fireworks must be set off to disperse the evil spirits; the sequence of eating should follow the seniority in the family clan; the children were not allowed to eat at the table; it is recommended to eat an even number of Jiaozi.
What is confusing for people to study Chinese in China is that there are many variations of forms within China; Jiaozi may be round-or crescent-shaped, boiled, steamed or pan-fried, the stuffing may be vegetarian or with meat and vegetables, What’s more, the skin of Jiaozi could be made of flour or glutinous rice.
To the surprise of people who’d like to study Mandarin in China, except from festivals, Jiaozi becomes an important delicacy during many important occasions, for example, during the harvest, Jiaozi is quite necessary for the celebration, in addition, in ordinary people’s daily lives, when there is someone going out for an expedition, the other family members would give a farewell dinner of Jiaozi which bears the benedictions of earning more money outside.
Therefore, come to attend a Chinese language school and learn Chinese in China! You are always cordially welcomed!