Chinese Alcohol — History, Culture, Utensil, Classification, and Etiquette
What Is the History of Chinese Alcohol?
Who Is the Sage of Alcohol in Chinese Culture?
What Are the Important Alcohol Utensils in History?
What Are the Main Functions of Alcoholic Drinks?
When and Who Is Not Suitable to Drink Alcohol?
What Are the Important Elements in Chinese Alcohol Culture?
Main Classifications of Traditional Chinese Alcoholic Drinks.
What Is the History of Chinese Alcohol?
In the Xia Dynasty (2070 BC — 1600 BC), using grains to make alcohol, also called millet wine, was popular.
During this period, nobles used Jue, a type of exquisite bronze ware, to place alcohol in sacrificial ceremonies and to drink it on important occasions.
Bronze Wine Cup (Jue) Unearthed from Erlitou, Believed the Relic Site of Part of the Xia Dynasty — Luoyang Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
In the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC — 1046 BC), agriculture and alcohol-making skills further developed.
Chinese Character of Alcohol (on Right Side), on Unearthed Oracle of the Shang Dynasty.
When more types of grains were applied in the alcohol-making process, the ruling class tried to limit its production, save money and foodstuff, and avoid the chaos caused by over-drinking.
However, the alcohol industry kept developing in types and making techniques.
Bottle and Alcohol of the Warring States Period (403 BC — 221 BC), Unearthed from Tomb of King of Zhongshan — Hebei Museum
After Zhang Qian (164 BC — 114 BC) opened up the Silk Road and introduced grape, grape wine became an important type.
Gradually, alcoholic drinks became popularized on civilians' dining tables and used to cure disease or relieve pain.
About 1800 years ago, the limitation of alcohol production was finally removed. When people could freely produce, sell, and drink alcohol as much as they wanted, the industry became prosperous soon.
Part of Painting (Wen Hui Tu) by Emperor Zhao Ji (1082 — 1135), Presenting the Feast of Intelligent Scholars — Taipei Palace Museum
Afterward, drinking is connected to nearly all important occasions, events, and holidays in Chinese culture.
Who Is the Sage of Alcohol in Chinese Culture?
Yi Di, an official of Yu the Great, is believed to have invented, organized, and developed alcohol-making technology.
Du Kang, also named Shao Kang, is the most famous, well-acknowledged Sage of alcohol in Chinese Culture that invented alcohol using sorghum.
He was an official of the Yellow Emperor, or, in other historical documentation, a king of the Xia Dynasty (2070 BC — 1600 BC).
Alcohol Utensils in History, Photo by Dongmaiying.
What Are the Main Functions of Alcohol?
Nowadays, alcohol is an important part of big ceremonies to celebrate happiness, forget sadness, and boost courage.
It was also widely used for medical purposes, such as disinfecting and curing diseases.