As we all know, locust plagues broke out in Central Asia last year, which aroused widespread concern. Some joke that if these grasshoppers were in China, diners might be able to turn them into a delicacy in an instant. This idea is not unfounded. Deep-fried grasshoppers have a good reputation in snacks, but in ancient times, people regarded grasshoppers as sinful demons and would never dare to eat them. Why did the ancients avoid grasshoppers so much?
Grasshoppers, or locusts, have been pests of crops since ancient times. Although grasshopper eating has been recorded as early as the Tang Dynasty, this is not a social custom, but only an individual phenomenon. When locust plagues occurred in ancient times, people were more willing to endure hunger than touch these former "heavenly punishments". Experts believe that there are three main reasons for the taboo on grasshoppers in ancient times.
First of all, the tools used by ancient people to catch grasshoppers were quite backward and difficult to deal with. The locust plague was the result of the concerted efforts of thousands of grasshoppers, and at that time people had few professional tools other than to catch them by hand. Considering the aggressiveness and flight ability of grasshoppers, it is doubly difficult to catch them, and it is difficult for people to catch them smoothly.
Secondly, eating grasshoppers requires a lot of oil, and the cost is too high. Even in modern times, frying is a common way to process grasshoppers. If it is boiled or steamed, it is difficult to swallow even if it is cooked thoroughly, because the fishy smell on the grasshopper cannot be removed, and the taste is very disgusting. In ancient times, supplies were scarce, and ordinary people could only taste meat once a month, let alone fried grasshoppers. Moreover, in the face of the locust plague, the ability of the people to sustain their livelihoods has become an even more pressing issue.
Finally, the ancient people's superstition about ghosts and gods was also a major factor. Once the locust plague breaks out, grasshoppers swarm in large numbers, which is daunting. In ancient times, people often believed that this was a messenger sent by Heaven to punish them, so after the locust plague, various sacrifices would be held to seek forgiveness from God. This also makes people more afraid to touch and eat grasshoppers.
Deep-fried grasshoppers are delicious, but no one wants to cause a locust plague. The economic losses caused by locust plagues far outweigh any benefits that come from making them into food. Whether ancient or modern, locust plagues have always been a headache. If it erupts, it will lead to the destruction of a large number of crops and the people will fall into famine. Therefore, the deep hatred of locusts is understandable.
This article deeply examines the taboo concept of grasshoppers in ancient times, as well as the cultural, economic, and religious factors behind this concept. In my opinion, this article has a unique perspective, combining ancient cultures with modern food habits, and provoking people to think about the development of human history.
First of all, the article introduces the history of grasshopper consumption, so that readers have a more comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon. Grasshopper eating has been recorded since the Tang Dynasty, but this is not a social custom, but an isolated phenomenon. Through this, the article successfully introduced the taboo concept of grasshoppers in ancient times, and revealed some characteristics of ancient society.
Secondly, the article explains the three reasons one by one, explaining why ancient people avoided eating grasshoppers. Among them, the inadequacy of ancient capture tools is explained in detail, revealing the limitations of the level of ancient technology. At the same time, the discussion of the high cost of eating grasshoppers also gives the reader a better understanding of the material scarcity at that time. Finally, through the superstition of the ancients about ghosts and gods, people's fear of natural disasters and their avoidance of disasters are emphasized.
The structure of the essay is clear and hierarchical, allowing the reader to gain a step-by-step insight into the attitudes of ancient people towards grasshoppers, and to discover in them the interweaving of culture, economy, and religion. In addition, the article uses some illustrations to better present the ancient scene for the reader, making the article more readable.
However, the article is somewhat lacking in the role of grasshoppers in modern society and their acceptance in some special cultures. Perhaps the content of the article can be further enriched by introducing some modern examples or comparisons to make it more contemporary.
Overall, this article provides readers with an interesting and enlightening historical and cultural journey through an in-depth analysis of the taboo concept of grasshoppers in ancient times. Through this perspective, we can better understand the evolution of human civilization and the profound connotations behind food culture.
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