饮食文化：十大特色中华美食的文化意义

Is there any major holiday that isn't celebrated with a special festive food? Given the important role food plays in Chinese culture, it is not surprising that many foods have symbolic meaning. The symbolic significance of a food may be based on its appearance or on how the Chinese word for it sounds. Here are 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. The Chinese believe eggs symbolize fertility. After a baby is born, parents may hold a "red egg and ginger party," where they pass out hard boiled eggs to announce the birth. (In some regions of China 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 Chinese birthday celebration as a birthday cake with lit candles is in many countries. Since noodles do symbolize 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 fish served whole is a symbol of prosperity. In fact, at a banquet it is customary to serve the whole fish last, pointed toward the guest of honor. Fish also has symbolic significance because the Chinese word for fish, yu, sounds like the word for riches or abundance, and it is believed that eating fish will help 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 mouthwatering platter of Peking duck on the banquet table. Ducks represent fidelity in Chinese culture. Also, red dishes are featured at weddings as red is the color of happiness. (You'll find them served at New Year'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。）

5. Chicken
5. 鸡

In Chinese culture, chicken forms part of the symbolism of the dragon and phoenix. At a Chinese wedding, chicken's feet (sometimes referred to as phoenix feet) are often served with dragon foods such as lobster. Chicken is also popular at Chinese New Year, symbolizing a good marriage and 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）。