Chinese red eggs (紅蛋, 紅雞蛋) are bright pink hard-boiled chicken eggs used in Chinese cuisine. After boiling, a wet red calligraphy paper is wiped over the eggs to create a pink coloring.
In Chinese culture, it is common to hold a red egg and ginger party at the baby's first-year birthday where the baby's name is usually announced to friends and family for the first time. One might find a bowl of brightly coloured boiled chicken eggs on the guests' buffet or serving tables,[1] or the hosts hand out the red-dyed eggs, symbolizing joy and renewed life. Sometimes the red eggs are also given to adult friends and family members for their birthdays.
Origin and folklore
editSimilar to Western Easter eggs, in Chinese culture eggs symbolize birth or a new start; thus, it is of paramount importance for eggs to be served to guests during an important birthday (such as the first month or first year). The color red symbolizes prosperity and good fortune to the Chinese.
Influence outside China
editMauritius
editIn Mauritius, Sino-Mauritians continued the tradition of sharing red eggs to their family members to share the joy of a newborn; this tradition occurs in what is now called "baptême chinois" (literally translated as Chinese baptism).[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Parkinson, Rhonda Lauret (1 September 2003). The everything Chinese cookbook: from wonton soup to sweet and sour chicken -- 300 succulent recipes from the Far East. Everything Books. p. 206. ISBN 978-1-58062-954-6. Retrieved 27 March 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Nallatamby, Pravina (2016). Les Sino-mauriciens, discrétion, action et solidarité…* (in French). France: CILF. p. 14.
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