Chinese Alcohol Uses
Alcohol and Its Uses in China
Ceremonial rites -alcohol was first used as a way to show respect to ancestors and gods. This custom still remains today. Farewell toast to warriors - Chinese usually will toast their warriors' victory before their departure.
Victory celebration - a military tradition held after triumphing over the enemy.
Banquet - alcohol consumption during state and business banquets and family feasts.
Resistance to cold temperatures - Chinese people have used it to resist cold for thousands of years.
Alcohol and Arts
Alcohol, more than any other beverage, had a great impact on Chinese artists as it seems that many of them produced their peak masterpieces in states of drunkenness. Being drunk, and so being released of inhibition, was and is an important way for Chinese artists to unleash their artistic and creative talents. After drinking the mysterious liquid, many famous poets, such as Li Bai and Du Fu, excelled in writing and left us surprisingly marvelous poems. Not only poetry but also painting and calligraphy were elevated to new heights with the consumption of alcohol. Wang Xizhi, the famous Chinese calligrapher respectfully called the Saint of Calligraphy, tried dozens of times to outdo his most outstanding work, Lantingxu (Orchid Pavilion Prologue), which was finished when he was drunk, but he failed. The original one was the best.
Alcohol and Health
Chinese people believe that moderate drinking is good for health, but excessive drinking will jeopardize one's physical constitution. As a result, few Chinese will cling to the bottle. However, many Chinese do sip a little alcohol periodically to maintain their vitality and health. Some even soak traditional Chinese medicine in liquor to achieve a better effect, which has proven to be beneficial.
Alcohol and Social Life
In China, alcohol plays an integral role in social life. Drinking provides more chances for one to make more friends. As the old saying goes, "Frequent drinking makes friends surrounding". Moreover, social drinking also effectively serves to deepen and strengthen the bonds of friendship. Since it shows one's friendliness, Drinking symbolizes one's sociability and is always used as a way to relieve misunderstanding and hatred no matter how tense the situation may get.
Alcohol and Business
Banquets are occasions where businessmen search for new business opportunities, try to discover the slightest changes in business trends or uncover their rivals' business information thus possibly giving them the edge, and increasing their chances of future success. Certainly, banquets form, strengthen and consolidate business partnerships and alcohol, of course, plays a key role.
Alcohol and Entertainment
Most people drink alcohol just for the fun of it. Due to its intoxicating effect, alcohol enhances the happy and exciting moments during festive occasions and adds to the merriment. Gathering around tables and playing drinking games, people will become bolder both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, there are always some people who get drunk after indulging too much.
Alcohol and the Military
Drinking alcohol was the only form of entertainment for the military in the time of handheld weaponry. It was used to stimulate and reward army men. Its stimulating properties could make cowards brave, invigorate the exhausted and heighten the morale of the army. Therefore it was the most important and effective substance employed to raise morale before and during a campaign, and to reward a military victory afterwards. According to historical records, during the period of the Warring States, Qin Mugong of the Qing kingdom poured the insufficient liquor into the Yellow River and drunk with his soldiers. here were many stories like this, and generals who did this always won their battles. In historical novels, alcohol and battles frequently went hand in hand. For example, in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu, the Chinese Ares, chopped Hua Xiong's head off while his wine was still warm; Zhang Fei, pretending to be drunk, captured his enemy's fortress easily. In this novel, almost every chapter is associated with alcohol.
Alcohol and Arts
Alcohol, more than any other beverage, had a great impact on Chinese artists as it seems that many of them produced their peak masterpieces in states of drunkenness. Being drunk, and so being released of inhibition, was and is an important way for Chinese artists to unleash their artistic and creative talents. After drinking the mysterious liquid, many famous poets, such as Li Bai and Du Fu, excelled in writing and left us surprisingly marvelous poems. Not only poetry but also painting and calligraphy were elevated to new heights with the consumption of alcohol. Wang Xizhi, the famous Chinese calligrapher respectfully called the Saint of Calligraphy, tried dozens of times to outdo his most outstanding work, Lantingxu (Orchid Pavilion Prologue), which was finished when he was drunk, but he failed. The original one was the best.
Alcohol and Health
Chinese people believe that moderate drinking is good for health, but excessive drinking will jeopardize one's physical constitution. As a result, few Chinese will cling to the bottle. However, many Chinese do sip a little alcohol periodically to maintain their vitality and health. Some even soak traditional Chinese medicine in liquor to achieve a better effect, which has proven to be beneficial.
Alcohol and Social Life
In China, alcohol plays an integral role in social life. Drinking provides more chances for one to make more friends. As the old saying goes, "Frequent drinking makes friends surrounding". Moreover, social drinking also effectively serves to deepen and strengthen the bonds of friendship. Since it shows one's friendliness, Drinking symbolizes one's sociability and is always used as a way to relieve misunderstanding and hatred no matter how tense the situation may get.
Alcohol and Business
Banquets are occasions where businessmen search for new business opportunities, try to discover the slightest changes in business trends or uncover their rivals' business information thus possibly giving them the edge, and increasing their chances of future success. Certainly, banquets form, strengthen and consolidate business partnerships and alcohol, of course, plays a key role.
Alcohol and Entertainment
Most people drink alcohol just for the fun of it. Due to its intoxicating effect, alcohol enhances the happy and exciting moments during festive occasions and adds to the merriment. Gathering around tables and playing drinking games, people will become bolder both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, there are always some people who get drunk after indulging too much.
Alcohol and the Military
Drinking alcohol was the only form of entertainment for the military in the time of handheld weaponry. It was used to stimulate and reward army men. Its stimulating properties could make cowards brave, invigorate the exhausted and heighten the morale of the army. Therefore it was the most important and effective substance employed to raise morale before and during a campaign, and to reward a military victory afterwards. According to historical records, during the period of the Warring States, Qin Mugong of the Qing kingdom poured the insufficient liquor into the Yellow River and drunk with his soldiers. here were many stories like this, and generals who did this always won their battles. In historical novels, alcohol and battles frequently went hand in hand. For example, in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu, the Chinese Ares, chopped Hua Xiong's head off while his wine was still warm; Zhang Fei, pretending to be drunk, captured his enemy's fortress easily. In this novel, almost every chapter is associated with alcohol.
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