How Long Is a Chopstick? Uncover Its Surprising History!
Chopsticks, this seemingly simple eating tool, actually occupies a pivotal position in Chinese history and culture. It is not only a necessity in the daily life of the Chinese nation but also cultural inheritance.
Length of chopsticks
The length of traditional Chinese chopsticks is generally seven inches and six tenths (about 22 - 24 centimeters).
This length is more suitable for picking up food on the dining table. It is very convenient whether picking up various Chinese dishes such as vegetables, meat or rice.
It can ensure that when users pick up food located in the center or edge of the plate, their hands do not need to be overly extended or bent, and it is relatively natural and comfortable to use.
Cultural implication of chopsticks length
Seven inches and six tenths and human's seven emotions and six desires
In Chinese culture, this length of seven inches and six tenths is considered related to human's seven emotions and six desires. The seven emotions refer to joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, and surprise. The six desires refer to the physiological needs of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind.
This symbolizes that people use chopsticks to obtain food. In the process of satisfying their appetites, they should know how to restrain their desires, reflecting a concept of self-restraint.
In pairs and the balance of yin and yang
Chopsticks come in pairs. This reflects the traditional Chinese concept of yin and yang.
The two chopsticks cooperate with each other. One is static and the other is dynamic. One actively picks up food (yang), and the other assists (yin). Only when they work together can they complete the task of picking up food well, symbolizing the balance of yin and yang and harmonious coexistence.
In traditional Chinese marriage concepts, the pairing of chopsticks is often used to imply that husband and wife depend on each other, cooperate with each other, and walk through life hand in hand.
Length and the three elements of heaven, earth and man
The length of chopsticks is also considered related to the three elements of heaven, earth and man.
The upper chopstick represents heaven, the lower chopstick represents earth, and the middle is man.
When using chopsticks, a person's hand controls in the middle, reflecting the harmonious unity of heaven, earth and man, expressing the Chinese people's respect for nature and the cosmic order and their recognition of their own position in it.
What is the Chinese rule on chopsticks?
Chopstick holding method
Use the right hand. Pinch the upper part of the chopsticks about one-third of the way with the thumb and index finger. Support it with the middle finger. The ring finger and little finger naturally bend and hold it. Align the heads of the chopsticks.
Placement rules
Place it on the chopstick holder. If there is no chopstick holder, place it flat beside the bowl with the head facing inside the dining table.
Picking rules
Pick up food from the side close to oneself. Don't reach across to pick up.
Try to pick up at one time. Don't pick and choose.
For food with soup, drain the soup first.
Taboo actions
Don't knock on bowls and plates: Don't knock on bowls and plates with chopsticks. This sounds like a beggar begging for food.
Don't stick in rice: Don't stick chopsticks in rice. This is like offering incense to the dead and is unlucky.
Don't rummage through dishes: Don't rummage through dishes. Pick up what you want to pick up. Respect food.
Don't suck on chopsticks: Don't put chopsticks in your mouth and suck. This is unhygienic and impolite.
Don't point at people: Don't point at people with chopsticks. This is a sign of disrespect for others.
Don't cross and place: Don't cross and place chopsticks on the table. This has a bad implication, like negating others.
Don't drop on the ground: If chopsticks drop on the ground, pick them up quickly and don't let them make a sound. This is considered to disturb ancestors.
Don't be of different lengths: Chopsticks should be placed neatly. Don't be of different lengths. This implies bad luck.
Are longer chopsticks better?
Chopsticks are not necessarily better if they are longer.
From the perspective of ease of use, overly long chopsticks are difficult to control and are laborious, which will affect the accuracy of picking up food.
From the perspective of cultural traditions, the length of chopsticks in different countries has its cultural meaning. Randomly making them longer does not conform to traditional concepts.
From the aspects of production and preservation, being too long will increase production difficulty and material consumption, and it is also inconvenient for storage.
How do you leave chopsticks after eating Chinese?
After finishing a Chinese meal, there are the following appropriate ways to put down chopsticks correctly:
Place on a chopstick holder
If there is a chopstick holder on the dining table, this is the most ideal way to place them. Place the chopsticks neatly and parallel on the chopstick holder with the tips facing inward.
Place flat beside the bowl
If there is no chopstick holder, place them flat beside the bowl. The chopsticks are parallel and the tips face inward.
Gently place on the side of the plate
Some Chinese meals will use plates. You can place the chopsticks parallel on the side of the plate with the tips facing inward.
Why do people rub their chopsticks together before eating?
People rub chopsticks before eating. First, it is to remove foreign objects, such as sawdust or bamboo shavings remaining from production, or dust stained by packaging.
Second, it is due to personal habits or to obtain psychological comfort and make themselves feel that the chopsticks are cleaner.
Which is better, wood or metal chopsticks?
I think metal chopsticks are better.
Because metal chopsticks are not easy to accumulate dirt and are resistant to high temperatures. They are easy to clean and disinfect, making them more hygienic and safe to use.
Secondly, metal chopsticks are highly durable, not easy to wear and deform, and have a long service life. They will not crack or shed like wooden chopsticks.
When should you throw away chopsticks?
1.When chopsticks have cracks, nicks, burrs, shedding or breakage.
2.When the chopstick body is bent or deformed and cannot pick up food normally.
3.When there are obvious black spots or mildew spots on the surface of wooden chopsticks.
4.When the material is aging, such as when plastic chopsticks are fragile and the coating on coated chopsticks is peeled off.
