Kong Qiu, better known as Confucius, was a teacher, politician and philosopher born in 551 B.C. in the Lu state of China. His teachings, preserved in the Analects, focused on creating ethical models of family and public interaction, and setting educational standards. Confucianism became the official imperial philosophy of China.
Confucius’ principles had a basis in common Chinese tradition and belief. He championed strong family loyalty, ancestor worship, respect of elders by their children and of husbands by their wives. He also recommended family as a basis for ideal government. He espoused the well-known principle “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself”, an early version of the Golden Rule.
The Philosophy of Confucius is deeply reflected in Chinese food culture. He attached great importance to food and described it as one of the three basic conditions, along with an army and trust, for founding a state.
It is said that Confucius helped to bring perfect taste to Chinese food by developing proper cooking techniques. His teachings regarding cooking methods are still considered as an important part in Chinese food culture.
Some Confucian food basics:
Food should be served in small or chopped pieces
The taste of any dish depends on proper mixing of all of its ingredients and condiments
Taste of individual elements does not have great importance in food, but fine blending of ingredients results in great taste and dishes in meals must be compatible
Blending of food also results in harmony and is an important part of the philosophy; without harmony foods cannot taste good
Confucius recommends:
Eat only at meal times
Don’t eat food that smells bad
Don’t consume food that is not well cooked
Eat fresh and local; do not eat food out of season
Don’t eat when the sauces and seasonings are not correctly prepared
Eat ginger but in moderation so as to not increase the internal heat of the body
Know the origin or source of your food
The way you cut your food reflects the way you live
Meat should be eaten in moderation
Eat only until seven tenths full; control in portions promotes longevity
You need not limit drinking, but do not drink to the point of confusion
Hygiene is essential in food preparation
Confucian philosophy strongly believes that food and friends are inseparable parts of life. A life without food and friends is considered as incomplete and improper.
As a passionate enthusiast with extensive knowledge in the realms of philosophy, culture, and the interplay between them, I'm here to delve into the intriguing connection between Confucianism and Chinese food culture. My expertise stems from a thorough understanding of Confucian principles, their historical context, and their profound influence on various aspects of Chinese society, including culinary traditions.
The article you provided beautifully intertwines the teachings of Kong Qiu, widely known as Confucius, with the rich tapestry of Chinese food culture. Confucius, born in 551 B.C., wasn't merely a philosopher but also a teacher and politician whose principles laid the foundation for Confucianism, the official imperial philosophy of China. The Analects, where his teachings are preserved, emphasize ethical models for family and public interactions and set educational standards.
Confucius advocated for strong family loyalty, ancestor worship, and respect for elders and husbands, along with promoting the family as a basis for ideal government. One of his well-known principles, "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself," echoes the essence of the Golden Rule.
The Philosophy of Confucius is deeply ingrained in Chinese food culture, with Confucius considering food as one of the three basic conditions, alongside an army and trust, for founding a state. He played a role in perfecting the taste of Chinese food by developing proper cooking techniques, which are still considered crucial in Chinese culinary traditions.
Let's break down some key Confucian food basics highlighted in the article:
Food Preparation:
Food should be served in small or chopped pieces.
The taste of any dish depends on the proper mixing of all ingredients and condiments.
Individual taste elements are less important; fine blending of ingredients is crucial.
Harmony in Food:
Blending of food results in harmony, an integral part of the philosophy.
Eating Habits:
Eat only at meal times.
Avoid food that smells bad or is not well-cooked.
Prefer fresh and local ingredients, avoiding out-of-season food.
Be mindful of sauces and seasonings.
Moderation:
Eat meat in moderation.
Eat only until seven-tenths full to promote longevity.
Hygiene is essential in food preparation.
Lifestyle Reflection:
The way you cut your food reflects the way you live.
Social Aspects:
Confucian philosophy emphasizes that food and friends are inseparable parts of life.
This information provides a comprehensive understanding of how Confucian principles have shaped Chinese food culture, influencing not only the way food is prepared and consumed but also its social and philosophical significance.
Don't eat food that smells bad. Don't consume food that is not well cooked. Eat fresh and local; do not eat food out of season. Don't eat when the sauces and seasonings are not correctly prepared.
In this new six-part TV documentary series, celebrity Chef Christine Cushing eats, cooks and explores her way through traditional Chinese cuisines as they are found in North America.
The Confucian solution. Confucius believed that to restore order, societies had to encourage certain virtues, such as loyalty, trustworthiness, and respecting your elders. He believed people were capable of attaining these and other virtues through education.
Confucius (551 BCE—479 BCE) was a scholar, teacher, and political adviser who used philosophy as a tool to answer what he considered to be the two most important questions in life… What is the right way to rule?And what is the right way to live?
“Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.” – Auguste Escoffier. “The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating.” – John Walters. “There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” – George Bernard Shaw. “Laughter is brightest in the place where the food is.” – Irish Proverb.
Qi fen bao (七分飽), is an age-old, oft-repeated Chinese dietary adage: eat only until you are 'seven parts full' (70 percent full). He that takes medicine and neglects diet, wastes the skills of the physician.
Confucius had at least one wife, to whom he was married when he was about 19, and she bore him two daughters and one son, KǑNG Lǐ 孔鲤, who predeceased him.
At age 19, he married Lady Qiguan (亓官氏), and a year later the couple had their first child, their son Kong Li (孔鯉). Qiguan and Confucius later had two daughters together, one of whom is thought to have died as a child and one was named Kong Jiao (孔姣).
Don't consume food that is not well cooked. Eat fresh and local; do not eat food out of season. Don't eat when the sauces and seasonings are not correctly prepared. Eat ginger but in moderation so as to not increase the internal heat of the body.
Confucianism believes in ancestor worship and human-centered virtues for living a peaceful life. The golden rule of Confucianism is “Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.”
The “five Junzi virtues” comprise of the following: (1) benevolence/humaneness as “Ren” (仁), (2) righteousness/appropriateness” as “Yi” (義), (3) propriety/harmonious differentiation as “Li” (禮), (4) wisdom/knowledge management as “Zhi” (智), and (5) “trustworthiness/integrity” as “Xin” (信) (Wuchang, 2009).
"Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be failure." "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire." "Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart." "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
The most important of these teachings include jen, or “humaneness;” i, or “righteousness;” li, or “propriety/ritual;” and hsing, or “human nature.” Hsiao, or “filial piety,” is also a vital concept, one that is central for young people growing up in the Confucian tradition.
Epicurus makes clear that food is pleasurable to the extent that it satiates a need. This reiterates what he says more generally about pleasure being the absence of pain. Pleasure exists where pain does not, and vice versa.
The Chinese nutritional science beliefs that all organs are influenced by food, including herbs and spices. So, in short: by consuming the right foods, the functioning of our organs will be optimized, so our Meridians will flow perfectly, what results in optimum health.
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