故宮里的“下午茶”
——以中國技藝傳承中華經(jīng)典

Text/Qiu Chunhai Translation/Zhang Jiayi

中秋節(jié)賞月和吃月餅是中國各地過中秋節(jié)的必備習(xí)俗，月餅作為一種傳統(tǒng)點(diǎn)心，發(fā)展至今已經(jīng)成為跨越歷史、超越食物本身的特殊文化符號。匠人運(yùn)用中國傳統(tǒng)雕刻技藝，將梅花、幽蘭、翠竹、牡丹、神龍、玉兔、鳳凰等傳統(tǒng)形象呈現(xiàn)于巧克力之上，融合傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代，制作出兼具宮廷雍容氣度和東方意象美學(xué)的故宮月餅。兼具“色香味意形”的故宮月餅，既體現(xiàn)了中國手藝人精湛技藝的傳承，也讓更多人體驗(yàn)到中國傳統(tǒng)文化追求自然與人文和諧之美的獨(dú)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.

疏影橫斜水清淺，暗香浮動月黃昏。梅花清逸幽雅又象征著堅(jiān)毅不屈的品質(zhì)。梅開五福，以花分五瓣而擁有“五?；ā钡拿婪Q，亦代表著“梅壽長春”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”.

蛟龍潛匿隱蒼波，撼搖霹靂震山河。龍是傳統(tǒng)文化中的祥瑞之一，以彰顯宮廷的尊貴。龍或威猛，或靈動，或雄武，或華貴，栩栩如生，充滿活力，代表著順心如意，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.

大谷空無人，芝蘭花自香。蘭花清香淡然，純正幽遠(yuǎn)、沁人肺腑的香味，自古以來深受國人所珍愛，被譽(yù)為花中君子，宮廷中的蘭花更有長壽如意之意。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.

藍(lán)天無際閑云白，鳳著彩衣呈吉祥。鳳為傳說中的百鳥之王，有“見則天下安寧”之說。頭頂華冠，羽披百眼，優(yōu)雅大方，逢太平盛世，便有鳳凰飛來，是祈求天下太平、萬事祥和的代表。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.

竹徑通幽處，禪房花木深?！笆瘡搅岘嚱忧?，幾枝修竹靜含香。”翠竹搖曳，竹影紛披，清高颯爽，“竹”與“祝”同音，如“竹報(bào)平安”“竹木如意”代表著如意稱心的好兆頭。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.

但愿人長久，千里共嬋娟?！巴蒙髟略略谔臁?，古往今來，黎民百姓、文人墨客，都將白兔視作月宮中的吉祥之物，有吉祥長壽、祈求團(tuán)圓的美好寓意。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.

唯有牡丹真國色，花開時節(jié)動京城。牡丹花開雍容華貴、艷壓群芳，被譽(yù)為“國色天香”“花中之王”，是宮廷中最喜愛的花卉之一。牡丹以風(fēng)華絕代之姿，光耀千年，也是富貴典雅、繁榮昌盛的象征。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.

陰晴圓缺都休說，且喜人間好時節(jié)。月宮不僅是天宮神物，祥云捧月更寓意團(tuán)圓，美好歡慶之余，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.