故宫里的“下午茶”——以中国技艺传承中华经典

Text/Qiu Chunhai Translation/Zhang Jiayi

中秋节赏月和吃月饼是中国各地过中秋节的必备习俗，月饼作为一种传统点心，发展至今已经成为跨越历史、超越食物本身的特殊文化符号。匠人运用中国传统雕刻技艺，将梅花、幽兰、翠竹、牡丹、神龙、玉兔、凤凰等传统形象呈现于巧克力之上，融合传统与现代，制作出兼具宫廷雍容气度和东方意象美学的故宫月饼。兼具“色香味意形”的故宫月饼，既体现了中国手艺人精湛技艺的传承，也让更多人体验到中国传统文化追求自然与人文和谐之美的独特魅力。

Admiring the full moon and eating mooncakes are the essential customs for Mid-Autumn Festival throughout China. As a traditional pastry, the mooncake has become a unique cultural symbol that transcends history and food. The artisans use traditional Chinese carving techniques to present conventional plum images of blossom, orchid, bamboo, peony, dragon, Jade Hare, and phoenix on top of the chocolate. They blend tradition with modernity to produce the Palace mooncakes with the gracefulness of the palace and the aesthetics of oriental imagery. The “color,aroma, taste, meaning and shape” of the Palace mooncakes not only reflect the inheritance of Chinese craftsmen’s exquisite techniques but also allow more people to experience the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture in pursuit of the beauty of harmony between nature and humanity.

疏影横斜水清浅，暗香浮动月黄昏。梅花清逸幽雅又象征着坚毅不屈的品质。梅开五福，以花分五瓣而拥有“五福花”的美称，亦代表着“梅寿长春”的吉祥寓意。The clear, shallow water reflects the dappled shadow unconsciously; a Faint fragrance floats at dusk, bathed in the moonlight.The plum blossom is elegant and symbolizes the quality of perseverance and indomitable will. With five petals, the plum blossoms have the laudatory name “Five Blessed Flowers”, which also represents the auspicious meaning of“Longevity of Plum”.

蛟龙潜匿隐苍波，撼摇霹雳震山河。龙是传统文化中的祥瑞之一，以彰显宫廷的尊贵。龙或威猛，或灵动，或雄武，或华贵，栩栩如生，充满活力，代表着顺心如意，四方太平，吉祥相伴。The dragon dives into the hidden waves and shakes the mountains and rivers with thunder and lightning.The dragon is one of the auspicious rites in traditional culture, highlighting the court’s dignity. Fierce, dynamic, majestic, noble, lifelike, and vibrant, the dragon represents satisfaction, peace, and good fortune.

大谷空无人，芝兰花自香。兰花清香淡然，纯正幽远、沁人肺腑的香味，自古以来深受国人所珍爱，被誉为花中君子，宫廷中的兰花更有长寿如意之意。There is no one in the valley, yet the fragrance of orchids overflows.The orchid fragrance is pure, distant, and refreshing. Orchids have been cherished by Chinese people since ancient times and are known as gentlemen in the flowers. Orchids in the palace even have the meaning of longevity.

蓝天无际闲云白，凤着彩衣呈吉祥。凤为传说中的百鸟之王，有“见则天下安宁”之说。头顶华冠，羽披百眼，优雅大方，逢太平盛世，便有凤凰飞来，是祈求天下太平、万事祥和的代表。The blue sky is boundless, and the clouds are white. The phoenix seems promising with its colorful dress.The phoenix is the legendary king of all birds. There is a saying that “a phoenix’s appearance means that the world will be at peace.” The phoenix is elegant, wearing a crown on its head and feathered with hundreds of eyes. In times of peace, a phoenix must fly in the sky, praying for world tranquility and all things to be peaceful.

竹径通幽处，禅房花木深。“石径玲珑接曲廊，几枝修竹静含香。”翠竹摇曳，竹影纷披，清高飒爽，“竹”与“祝”同音，如“竹报平安”“竹木如意”代表着如意称心的好兆头。The bamboo path leads to a quiet place; The Zen room is hidden in the depth of flowers and trees.“The stone path is exquisitely connected to the winding corridor. A few slender branches of bamboo quietly exude a fragrance.” The image of bamboo swaying and shadow scattering makes the bamboo look morally lofty and upright.“bamboo” and “wish” are homonyms in Chinese. The phrases “bamboo for peace”and “bamboo for satisfaction” represent the good omen of wishful thinking.

但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。“兔生明月月在天”，古往今来，黎民百姓、文人墨客，都将白兔视作月宫中的吉祥之物，有吉祥长寿、祈求团圆的美好寓意。Let us wish that the people we miss will live as long as possible. Though miles apart, we will share the beauty of the graceful moon.“The Jade Hare lives in the Moon Palace.” Throughout the ages, ordinary people and scholars have regarded the Jade Hare as an auspicious symbol in the Moon Palace, with the good fortune of longevity and reunion.

唯有牡丹真国色，花开时节动京城。牡丹花开雍容华贵、艳压群芳，被誉为“国色天香”“花中之王”，是宫廷中最喜爱的花卉之一。牡丹以风华绝代之姿，光耀千年，也是富贵典雅、繁荣昌盛的象征。Only the peony is worth being called the national beauty. It never fails to set off ripples of excitement within the capital when it blooms.Elegant and graceful, the peony is known as “national beauty and heavenly fragrance” and “the king of flowers”. It is one of the most popular flowers in the palace. The peony has shone brightly for thousands of years with its magnificent appearance and is also a symbol of wealth, elegance, and prosperity.

阴晴圆缺都休说，且喜人间好时节。月宫不仅是天宫神物，祥云捧月更寓意团圆，美好欢庆之余，寄托祝福的愿景。Despite the moon waxing or waning, the good time is worth celebrating.The Moon Palace is a heavenly relic. Clouds holding the moon symbolize reunion,a beautiful festivity, and a vision of blessing.