双语：中国传统美食文化知多少

英语自学网

　　Is there any major holiday that isn't celebrated with a specialfestive
food? Given the important role food plays in Chineseculture, it is not
surprising that many foods have symbolicmeaning. The symbolic significance of a
food may be based onits appearance or on how the Chinese word for it sounds.
Hereare several symbolic Chinese foods:
        　　哪个特殊的中国节日会没有美食的陪伴呢?美食在中华文化中扮演着重要角色，也自然地有了象征意义。食物的象征意义可以来源于外形本身或者名字发音。以下是一些中华文化中极具象征性的食物：
        　　1. Eggs
        　　1. 鸡蛋
        　　Eggs hold a special symbolic significance in many cultures, and China is no
exception. TheChinese believe eggs symbolize fertility. After a baby is born,
parents may hold a "red egg andginger party," where they pass out hard boiled
eggs to announce the birth. (In some regions ofChina the number of eggs
presented depends on the sex of the child: an even number for a girl,and an odd
number if a boy has been born).
        　　鸡蛋在很多文化中都有着特殊的象征意义，在中国也不例外。中国人相信鸡蛋象征着繁衍。婴儿出生后，父母可以组织一个“红鸡蛋和生姜宴”，传递煮好的鸡蛋以宣布新生儿的出生。(在中国有些地区，拿出的鸡蛋个数代表着孩子的性别：偶数代表女孩，奇数代表男孩。)
        　　2. Noodles
        　　2. 面条
        　　Noodles are a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture. They are as much a
part of a Chinesebirthday celebration as a birthday cake with lit candles is in
many countries. Since noodles dosymbolize long life, it is considered very
unlucky to cut up a strand.
        　　面条在中华文化中是长寿的象征。在中式的生日庆祝中，面条的角色不亚于很多国家点着蜡烛的生日蛋糕。鉴于面条象征长寿，切断面条被看作是非常不吉利的做法。
        　　3. Fish
        　　3. 鱼
        　　Although westerners sometimes balk at the sight of a entire fish lying on a
plate, in China a fishserved whole is a symbol of prosperity. In fact, at a
banquet it is customary to serve the whole fishlast, pointed toward the guest of
honor. Fish also has symbolic significance because the Chineseword for fish, ,
sounds like the word for riches or abundance, and it is believed that eating
fish willhelp your wishes come true in the year to come.
        　　尽管西方人看到一整条鱼躺在盘子里有时会犹豫不前，然而在中国，端上的整条鱼是富饶的象征。事实上，宴会的习俗是最后端上整鱼，鱼头对着贵宾。鱼的象征意义也来自于中文中鱼的发音，和表示富有和充裕的“余”同音，而且人们相信吃鱼会让他们在来年心想事成。
        　　4. Duck
        　　4. 鸭
        　　If you are ever invited to a Chinese wedding banquet, don't be surprised to
spot a mouthwateringplatter of Peking duck on the banquet table. Ducks represent
fidelity in Chinese culture. Also, reddishes are featured at weddings as red is
the color of happiness. (You'll find them served at NewYear's banquets for the
same reason.)
        　　如果你被邀请参加中式婚宴，看到宴桌上让人垂涎三尺的北京烤鸭不要大惊小怪噢。鸭子在中华文化中象征忠诚。而且，红色菜肴是婚礼的特色，因为红色是象征幸福的颜色。(同样的原因，你会发现它们也出现在新年宴席上。)
            
            

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        　　5. Chicken
        　　5. 鸡
        　　In Chinese culture, chicken forms part of the symbolism of the dragon and
phoenix. At a Chinesewedding, chicken's feet (sometimes referred to as phoenix
feet) are often served with dragonfoods such as lobster. Chicken is also popular
at Chinese New Year, symbolizing a good marriageand the coming together of
families (serving the bird whole emphasizes family unity).
        　　在中华文化中，鸡是组成龙和凤凰的一部分。在中式婚礼上，鸡爪(有时被称为凤爪)通常和与龙有关的食物(比如龙虾)一起被奉上
。鸡也是中国新年庆祝的一部分，象征婚姻美满和家庭团聚(整鸡更强调家庭团圆)。
        　　6. Seeds (lotus seeds, watermelon seeds, etc)
        　　6. 种子(莲子，西瓜籽等)
        　　Visit an Asian bakery during the Chinese New Year, and you're likely to
find a wide assortment ofsnacks with different types of seeds in them. The
seed-filled treats represent bearing many childrenin Chinese culture.
        　　在中国春节期间去糕点房看看，你很可能就看到种类繁多的中国小吃，由不同种类的种子制成。包着种子的小吃在中国文化中象征多子。
        　　7. Fruit - Tangerines, Oranges and Pomerania
        　　7. 水果——桔子，橙子和柚子
        　　Tangerines and oranges are passed out freely during Chinese New Year as the
words for tangerineand orange sound like luck and wealth, respectively. As for
Pomerania, this large ancestor of thegrapefruit signifies abundance, as the
Chinese word for Pomerania sounds like the word for "tohave."
        　　中国春节时候人们会赠送桔子和橙子，因为这两种水果的说法分别象征着吉祥和财富。
大个头柚子是葡萄柚的原种，象征着丰富，因为其中文发音和“有”接近。
        　　8. Cake
        　　8. 糕点
        　　And what about the sweet, steamed cakes that are so popular during the
Chinese New Yearseason? Cakes such as Sticky Rice Cake have symbolic
significance on many levels. Theirsweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life, while
the layers symbolize rising abundance for the comingyear. Finally, the round
shape signifies family reunion.
        　　中国春节期间广受欢迎的蒸糕又象征什么呢?像糯米糕之类的糕点在很多方面都有着象征意义。糕点本身的甜味象征着富足甜美的生活，而多层的糕点结构又象征着来年更上一层楼的富有。还有，圆圆的外形代表着家庭团聚。
        　　9. Don't Forget the Vegetables!
        　　9. 还有蔬菜噢
        　　Chinese garlic chives symbolize eternity, while cone-shaped winter bamboo
shoots are a symbol ofwealth.
        　　在中国，韭菜象征着永恒，锥形的冬笋象征财富。
        　　Do not disregard the dish—it is more than just, simply food combination.
Bear in mind the cultureelements—appreciate the blessing within.
        　　不要认为菜肴只是简单的食物搭配而忽视它。牢记美食中蕴含的文化元素，感受食物被赋予的美好祝福吧。