Revealing the Qing Dynasty’s Imperial New Year’s Eve Banquet: Dumplings to 100,000-Tael Feast

Hello everyone, welcome to History and Culture. The matter of, celebrating the New Year, is extraordinarily important in the lives of Chinese people, regardless of social status. For ordinary citizens of the Qing Dynasty, being able to enjoy a New Year's Eve family reunion dinner was the most eagerly anticipated moment of the entire year. Even if life was extremely frugal, they would still add a few extra dishes to the pot. All for the sake of family togetherness and good fortune. The emperors in the imperial palace, lofty as they were, were naturally no exception to the tradition of eating a New Year's Eve dinner. Many people are curious. What exactly did Qing Dynasty emperors eat for their New Year's Eve dinner? Was it always delicacies from mountain and sea? Served in golden bowls and jade dishes meal after meal? Historical records are quite clear on this. After reading them, it is easy to feel both awe and a poignant sense of the vast gap between eras. On the Qing Emperor's New Year's Eve table, the food that appeared most frequently was not premium ingredients like shark fin or sea cucumber, but rather dumplings, jiaozi. However, these were quite different from the meat-filled dumplings familiar today. In the early Qing period, emperors on New Year's Eve mostly ate vegetarian dumplings. The filling was mainly made from ingredients such as daylily buds, golden needle vegetables, wood ear mushrooms, fresh mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and longevity greens. Light in flavor yet rich in symbolic meaning. As for why they chose vegetarian dumplings instead of meat ones, a widely circulated folk explanation exists. It is said that when the Qing dynasty was first established, the rulers, in order to reflect on the past and remind their descendants to practice restraint and moderation, established the tradition of eating vegetarian dumplings on New Year's Eve. Although this explanation has a certain folkloric flavor, in reality, emperors during the early and middle Qing periods did largely adhere to this rule. Yet human nature ultimately cannot resist the desire of the palate. By the late Qing, ancestral regulations were gradually abandoned. Documents clearly record that on New Year's Eve in the 11th year of Guangxu, 1885, the emperor twice ate pork-filled dumplings in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Once with pork and Chinese cabbage filling. Once with pork and spinach filling. The rule still existed in name, but no one strictly observed it anymore. After all, the taste of meat dumplings is indeed more appealing. If one were to pick the most representative New Year's Eve dinner among Qing emperors, it would undoubtedly be that of the Qianlong Emperor. During the Qianlong reign, national strength was at its peak and finances were abundant. So the grandeur of the New Year's Eve dinner naturally reached its height. The dinner was generally held in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Qianqing Palace. Usually beginning in the afternoon. When the banquet commenced, the emperor sat alone on the throne in the center of the main hall. While the empress had her own separate table beside him. The two did not dine at the same table. This differs from many scenes depicted in modern historical films and dramas. The imperial consorts and concubines were seated on both sides according to their rank. Princes and imperial grandsons generally did not attend this particular New Year's Eve dinner. The reason was simple. The imperial family was too large. And the true family reunion banquet was usually arranged on the first day of the lunar New Year or later. The tableware used for the New Year's Eve dinner also reflected the strict hierarchical system. The emperor's bowls, plates, spoons, and chopsticks were mostly made of pure gold. Practically a complete, all-gold set. The empress's tableware was equally exquisite. But slightly inferior in material and specification. As for the consorts and concubines. They could only use porcelain wares. This distinction was especially pronounced on such a grand occasion as the New Year's Eve dinner. What truly astonishes is the sheer number of dishes. Take the New Year's Eve of the 48th year of Qianlong, 1783, as an example. That day's dinner, following palace custom. Was arranged in nine successive rows. Closest to the emperor. Were fruit boxes and pastries. Containing dried fruits, candied preserves, dairy products. And small snacks. In the following rows, hot dishes gradually increased. Including Dongpa pork, duck dishes, chicken. And yenwa, bird's nest, preparations. The Qianlong emperor himself particularly favored duck. Which was very evident on the menu. The middle rows consisted mainly of cold platters. Including mutton and braised meats. Further back were various candied fruits, dried fruits. And pastries. With the final row featuring fresh fruits and cakes. The entire New Year's Eve dinner comprised. A total of 109 different dishes and delicacies. No matter how large one's appetite. It was impossible to finish everything. The leftovers were not wasted. Instead, they were bestowed as rewards to princes and high officials. To modern people, eating someone else's leftovers is hard to comprehend. But at the time, this was considered an extremely high honor. Many people could not even obtain such a reward if they wanted it. After the New Year's Eve dinner concluded. The emperor's eating did not immediately stop. In the early evening, another small banquet would be served. Late at night, the emperor would also eat a food called boiled bobo. In the Qing dynasty, all flour-based foods were collectively called bobo. Which naturally included dumplings. Given the imperial family's tradition. It can be inferred that this late-night snack was most likely plain vegetarian boiled dumplings. However, as time passed. The national strength of the Qing dynasty gradually declined. By the Jucheng and Daoguang reigns. Finances became tight. And the scale of the New Year's Eve dinner began to be forcibly reduced. Although there were some savings. The impact on the overall situation was negligible. In the late Qing, with internal troubles and external threats intertwined. Ordinary people's lives became difficult. Yet the New Year's Eve dinner in the palace. Still maintained a relatively lavish standard. In the first year of Tongzhi, 1862. The young Zhaotian, the Tongzhi emperor. Celebrated New Year's Eve for the first time as emperor. The splendor of that dinner was still considerable. The most eye-catching items on the table. Were four grand dishes called the Eternal Satisfaction, Wanyan Rui. All made with bird's nest paired with poultry. In addition, there were large quantities of chicken, duck, fish, meat. And refined dishes. The menu alone shows that the meal was extremely costly. If one asks whose New Year's Eve dinner was the most extravagant in the late Qing. It almost unanimously belongs to Empress Dowager Cixi. Although she was not the emperor. She long held supreme power. Historical records state that on New Year's Eve in the 20th year of Guangxu, 1894. Cixi ate extremely sumptuous dishes from morning till night. She even hosted a midday banquet for ministers and imperial clan members. The total cost of the entire New Year's Eve banquet. Is estimated to have reached 100,000 tales of silver. Notably, this was the very year the Sino-Japanese War, 1894 to 1895, broke out. The nation was in turmoil, with the front lines under severe strain. Yet inside the palace, feasting and entertainment continued as usual. This stark contrast left a heavy mark in historical records. And has caused later generations to sigh with regret. According to comments from relevant historians. In the end, that New Year's Eve dinner is supposed to represent reunion and family affection. The Qing Emperor's New Year's Eve dinners. Were superficially extravagant to the extreme. But the symbolic meaning they carried. Was essentially no different from that of ordinary people. Only when this ritual became detached from reality. And turned into pleasure disconnected from the people's livelihood. Did it inevitably become part of historical reflection. Therefore, no matter how times change, what is truly precious about the New Year's Eve dinner. Has never been how expensive the dishes on the table are. But whether the people beside you are still there. When the New Year comes, being able to go home and sit together with family for a good meal. Is in itself the rarest and most precious thing. This is the History and Culture channel. Liking and subscribing are the greatest help and support to us. Thank you everyone and see you in the next time.