Water chestnut, a common ingredient in the southern region, is sweet and refreshing, nutritious, and suitable for all ages. But you may not know that in ancient times, it almost became the protagonist of a sacrifice. This makes people wonder what the story is
Archaeological discoveries show that water chestnuts can be traced back to the Hemudu cultural site more than 7,000 years ago. The earliest water chestnuts were small, hard, covered with spines, and were in a wild state. Humans domesticated water chestnut appeared more than 3,000 years ago, and its varieties began to diversify.
The ancients loved water chestnut, not only to eat, but also to make poetry. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" records the nutritional effects of water chestnut, and modern science has confirmed that water chestnut is rich in vitamins, has diuretic and lactation, anti-hangover and detoxification and certain anti-cancer effects.
However, in ancient times, water chestnut was not available to everyone. Before the Han Dynasty, only nobles were eligible to taste it, and ordinary people were even executed for eating water chestnut. According to the "Chinese" record, the state of Chu in the Spring and Autumn period succumbed to the point that because of its love for water chestnut, he asked to sacrifice himself with water chestnut after death.
However, Qu Jian's son refused to abide by this will. He believed that sacrifices should follow rituals, similar to today's laws. According to the ritual law, people of different status and rank should use different sacrifices when sacrificing, and if they are doctors, they should sacrifice a sheep's head instead of a water chestnut. Qu Jian chose to follow the etiquette and let the water chestnut not become a sacrifice, so as not to devalue Qu Zhi's identity.
During the Spring and Autumn period, the etiquette was strictly restricted, but it gradually collapsed later. However, Qu Jian's insistence kept the water chestnut from becoming a sacrifice and maintained its status.
We should now thank Qu Jian for his perseverance, and he followed the etiquette in that era. Similarly, when we are faced with the choice between family affection and law, Qu Jian's story also gives us inspiration.
Reference: Liu Chenchen's "Those Things of Historical Literati".
The following is a reimagined article, with a focus on the original meaning).
In ancient times, water chestnut, a common southern ingredient, almost became the protagonist of the sacrifice. Are you curious as to why it almost suffered this fate?This article will take you back in time to explore the ancient history of water chestnut.
Archaeological experts have found that more than 7,000 years ago, water chestnut has appeared in the Hemudu cultural site in Yuyao, Zhejiang. At that time, the water chestnut was small, hard, full of thorns, and had not yet been domesticated by humans. More than 3,000 years ago, water chestnut gradually evolved into the form we are familiar with today, and differentiated into a variety of varieties.
The ancients loved water chestnut and not only used it as a delicacy, but also wrote poems on its subject. Li Shizhen recorded the efficacy of water chestnut in the "Compendium of Materia Medica", and modern science has confirmed its rich nutritional value.
However, in ancient societies, water chestnut was not enjoyed by everyone. Before the Han Dynasty, only nobles could taste it, and ordinary people who ate water chestnuts could even be put to death. According to the "Chinese" record, the state of Chu in the Spring and Autumn period was so fond of water chestnuts that he even left a will asking to sacrifice himself with water chestnuts after death.
But Qu Jian's son Qu Jian did not act according to his will. He believed that sacrifices were subject to rituals, similar to today's laws. According to the ritual law, different social classes used different sacrifices during sacrifices, and if you are a doctor, you should use a sheep's head as a sacrifice instead of a water chestnut. Therefore, Qu Jian adhered to the etiquette law and did not let the water chestnut become a sacrifice, so as not to degrade Qu Zhi's identity.
During the Spring and Autumn period, ritual laws were tightly restricted, but then gradually disintegrated. However, Qu Jian's actions prevented the water chestnut from becoming a sacrifice and maintained its status.
Qu Jian's choice tells us that despite the changes of the times, people's respect and adherence to etiquette are worth learning from. His story also gives us food for thought: when family affection and law conflict, how should we choose?
This historical story tells us that water chestnut was almost sacrificed, but it retained its identity because of a young man's insistence, which also makes us think more about the choice between family and law.
This fascinating essay on the history of water chestnut makes one ponder the collision between ancient rituals and personal feelings. Water chestnut is a simple ingredient, but behind it contains many historical stories and social and cultural changes.
First of all, the article delves into the origin of water chestnut and the perception of it by ancient societies. From the water chestnut found at the Hemudu cultural site more than 7,000 years ago, to the domesticated and differentiated into different varieties more than 3,000 years ago, it shows the evolution of water chestnut as an ingredient in ancient times. It is worth thinking about the fact that in ancient times, water chestnut was not enjoyed by everyone, but was a privilege of the nobility, and ordinary people may even be severely punished for eating it. This reflects the existence of ancient social class and hierarchical concepts, and also makes people think about the life and treatment of people in ancient times.
And the most intriguing part is about the story between Qu Jian and Qu Zhi. The story begins with Qu Jian's refusal to comply with his father's will, and he adheres to etiquette in order to maintain Qu Jian's dignity and status. This respect and adherence to traditional rituals was particularly precious in the social context of the time. This story is not only about the transformation of water chestnut identity, but also a reflection on traditional values and social norms. It provokes deep reflection on the conflict between kinship and law, between personal choice and social norms.
The article also provides readers with a connection between history and reality. Even though we live in different eras, there are still similarities in the morals, values, and social norms that people face. Qu Jian's actions at that time also have implications for us today. In modern society, we also have to deal with the entanglement between family and law, personal choice and social norms. We can learn from the experiences of ancient people and think about how to find a balance between moral codes and social norms.
Overall, this article vividly shows the identity of water chestnut in ancient times, and provokes reflections on etiquette, personal choice, and social norms through the story of Qu Jian and Qu Zhi. It not only gives us a deeper understanding of ancient societies, but also inspires us to think about the relationship between personal values and social norms today.
Disclaimer: The above content information is ** on the Internet, and the author of this article does not intend to target or insinuate any real country, political system, organization, race, or individual. The above content does not mean that the author of this article agrees with the laws, rules, opinions, behaviors in the article and is responsible for the authenticity of the relevant information. The author of this article is not responsible for any issues arising from the above or related issues, and does not assume any direct or indirect legal liability.
If the content of the article involves the content of the work, copyright**, infringement, rumors or other issues, please contact us to delete it. Finally, if you have any different thoughts about this event, please leave a message in the comment area to discuss!