bamboo, chopsticks, da yu, floods, gift-giving, xia dynasty

The Meaning Behind a Gift of Chopsticks

Chopsticks originated in ancient China and have become unique to Eastern culture. Not only are they part of the essential tableware of daily meals, but giving them as a gift has become part of Chinese culture and holds a special meaning.  The legend of chopsticks While there are several legends about the origin of chopsticks, ...

Tatiana Denning

Two colorful ceramic bowls, one blue with a white design and the other coral with a white design, have wooden chopsticks resting on top of them.

This Startup Creates Beautiful Furniture by Repurposing Used Chopsticks

People habitually use certain accessories in the kitchen and dining table that end up in the trash. One such example is chopsticks. First used by the Chinese, they later spread to other East Asian cultural sphere countries, including Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. As ethnic Chinese emigrated, chopsticks as eating utensils for certain ethnic food took ...

Emma Lu

Furniture made with ChopValue.

How Chopsticks Reveal Your Character

Since ancient times, proper etiquette has been an important part of Chinese culture. Etiquette was considered especially important while dining, and ancient people viewed how one used chopsticks as a reflection of their upbringing and their parents. If you held or used chopsticks in a sloppy, careless, or rough manner, it was taken very seriously, ...

Tatiana Denning

People taking food with chopsticks from a hot pot.

Chopsticks: History, Legend, and Myth

You have heard that Chinese people are good at mathematics or good at numbers. It is believed that this aptitude has some connection with the tradition of using chopsticks. Does this theory have any scientific proof? In this article, we share some glimpses into the intriguing world and history of these eating utensils. It has ...

Emma Lu

You have heard that Chinese people are good at mathematics or good at numbers. It is believed that this aptitude has some connection with the tradition of using chopsticks. Does this theory have any scientific proof?

Dining With Manners the Chinese Way

When you dine with your Chinese friends, you need to observe proper etiquette. After all, table manners are a big part of the Chinese tradition. There’s a proper way to sit, order a dish, hold your chopsticks, and eat in a Chinese gathering. Whether you are visiting China, eating in a classy Chinese restaurant, or ...

Emma Lu

Pouring tea during a Chinese meal.

How to ‘Speak’ Chinese With Your Body

As far as a Western person visiting China is concerned, a basic knowledge of Chinese body language is necessary to ensure that you understand the gestures people make and do not end up insulting anyone.  Communication is not just about words. The way people move their heads, the gestures they make with their hands, how ...

Emma Lu

A Chinese woman with a smile holding flowers.

How Chopsticks Came to Symbolize the Precepts of Chinese Families

How did chopsticks become the symbol of Chinese family laws? According to a Chinese belief, a country has its state laws and a family has its rules. But how did chopsticks come to symbolize these family rules? Chopsticks Let’s have a look at what could give chopsticks such importance that they eventually over time became ...

Hermann Rohr

13 Taboos to Avoid When Using Chopsticks

Chopsticks have been a part of Chinese life since ancient times. There are customs and rules for properly using chopsticks. These rules are very particular, but they are followed quite naturally by Chinese who grow up with them. To start, lay your chopsticks together on the right side of the bowl before the dishes are ...

Raven Montmorency

A hand holding chopsticks.