The original meaning of the word li was “to sacrifice,” which may have referred to the idea that, following all the culturally sanctioned rules of Confucian etiquette, required sacrifices. It includes knowing in detail the hundreds of correct forms of behavior and training in this highly prescribed way of living which must be so thorough and so pervasive that in order to acquire complete mastery the surest method is to be brought up in a Confucian household.
Chinese etiquette has, therefore, come to be equated not only with learning in general, but with Chinese culture and even morality itself. It has even become identified with nationality and nationalism. This means that being Chinese is not just the result of race or physical characteristics but essentially also how closely the person follows the “correct” rules of behavior.
This is because the Chinese have made etiquette a key element in their culture and has made the learning and following of graceful manners a necessary part of their lives. Formal, and oftentimes even informal, behavior was built around specific rituals that symbolized the hierarchal relationships between persons.
Students of Chinese culture have realized that the rituals of etiquette were not just surface manifestations of good behavior. According to one Confucian scholar: “They embodied the concept of cosmology, ethics, morality, and the law and applied to everyone. Despite the great economic and social gap between the elite of China and the great mass of peasants, their manners and ethics were based on the same philosophical principles, with the same or similar symbols and rituals.
For non-Chinese it may be important to remember that most Chinese still believe that their behavior is the only proper etiquette and all who do not follow the same meticulous rules of conduct are uncivilized “barbarians.”
Today, the rules of Chinese etiquette are no longer as strictly enforced as before when there were actually legal sanctions for “misbehavior.” However, they remain very important and there are still formalities that are strictly observed, particularly in business and formal situations, because they have become ingrained in the behavior of the Chinese people.
For example, at a hosted meal, it is the responsibility of the host -- not the waiters or servants -- to see that the guests’ plates and tea cups are refilled. It is also mandatory to accompany the ranking guests to the door when a meal or party ends.
In Chinese etiquette, there are prescribed manners for everyone at mealtimes especially when there are guests. In fact, one of the best and easiest ways that foreigners can demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of Chinese culture and people is through knowledge of Chinese cuisine and proper etiquette during meal times.
Yin/Yang in Chinese Cuisine: The Chinese have traditionally been guided in their approach to life by the ancient Confucian principle of yin and yang which holds that everything in the universe is either positive or negative, wet or dry, cold or hot, light or dark, male or female, plus or minus, and so on and that there must be a harmonious balance between these opposing forces if we are to stay right with the cosmos.
Boye De Monte is an astute observer and authority on Asian etiquette and ethics in business.. His observations on the application of the yin/yang principle to Chinese cuisine is fascinating. According to him “the Chinese have traditionally been guided in their approach to eating by the ancient principle of yin and yang. Within this thesis, every category of food -- meat, fowl, vegetable, fruit, nut, liquid -- has its own specific yin or yang character and should be consumed in combinations and quantities that are balanced.
Yin foods are thin, bland, cooling, and low in calories and yang foods are rich, spicy, warming, high in calories. Boiling foods makes them yin; deep frying makes them yang.
In the Chinese lexicon, the five tastes of food -- spicy, bitter, sweet, sour and salty -- are intimately linked with the five primary elements of Chinese cosmology -- metal, wood, water, earth and fire -- and with the five primary internal organs of the body.
According to Chinese theory, the effects of various foods differ from the personality of the individual. They also believe that abalone calms the nerves and clears the eyes; that almonds form a protective film on the stomch walls thereby reducing the effects of alcohol; that bamboo shoots and burdock speed up metabolism and stimulate bowel activity; that carp speeds up blood circulation and the activity of the internal organs; that chestnuts are an excellent energizer; that dried orange peels stimulate digestion; that clams have a tranquilizing, restful effect.
Other foods with reputedly specific effects include ginseng, which helps regulate the functions of the glands, seaweed which reduces inflammation; and lotus root which has a sedative effect that greatly benefits insommiacs; and contributes to elasticity of the blood vessels, thereby benefiting people suffering from bleeding ailments.
Pickled plums have long been famous for relieving the effects of hangovers and refreshing the stomach and bowels. Red beans are noted for relieving fatigue and stimulating both the heart and urinary system. Garlic is noted for stimulating the internal organs as well as warming the body and aiding in the absorption of nutrients. Sesame seeds are renowned as an energizer and in aiding digestion. Shrimps are also said to have a fast energizing effect and to be especially beneficial to people recovering from illnesses.”
Today there is growing concern among Confucian traditionalists that there is an increasing breakdown in the observance of traditional Chinese etiquette especially among the new generation of “unChinese-like” children. However, China has the oldest continuous civilization in the world. There may be modifications, but I believe that Chinese etiquette will continue to be the rules of behavior for many more future generations.