"King of Summer" watermelon, in ancient times, was also a "big star"

In the hot summer, watermelon is definitely a "king of summer". Who can resist its sweet and juicy taste? "Air Conditioning, WiFi, Watermelon" is an indispensable "three treasures" that modern people cool down in summer. In ancient times, without air conditioning and WiFi, the charm of watermelon seemed to be greater. It is a veritable "big star".

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Search it in history

Painted the murals to make Tang Sancai

Where did watermelon come from? Gourmet columnist Liu Qi told reporters that there have always been a variety of claims. According to legend, watermelon existed in China as early as ancient times. When Shennong tasted Bai Cao, he had eaten watermelon, and the characteristics of the sparse water because of its large water ". watermelon". "However, there is no basis for standing in this statement." Liu Qi said that the current mainstream view is that watermelon is produced in the desert of the African tropical. Essence

History research showed that the seeds of watermelon were found in the tomb of ancient Egyptian law more than 2000 BC. This shows that the Egyptians at that time had begun to grow watermelon. "Later, the planting range of watermelon gradually expanded and was introduced from the Western Regions to China, so people called it 'watermelon'." Liu Qi introduced that in ancient historical documents, relevant records could be found. The earliest records of the term "watermelon" are currently discovered from the "Sedu" from the Five Dynasties. , Poor grass and wood, start eating watermelon. Yuncadan breaks back to get this type, and is planted with cow dung, as big as Chinese winter melon and sweet. " Out of the Western Regions, the name of the Western Regions. "In the Ming Dynasty" Medical Saint "Li Shizhen's" Compendium of Materia Medica ", there are also such records:" According to Hu Yan Yu Hui, the name of watermelon. All. "

Cultural relics related to watermelon witness the ancients' love for watermelon. The earliest "watermelon map" in China was discovered on the tomb murals of Liaoning in Inner Mongolia. This group of Liao Dynasty tombs was called "Banquet". There were 4 people in the picture. Among them, the owner sat on the chair half -side, the right arm pillow on the back of the chair, and the left hand was supported on the knees. Robes, foot stepping red boots. The remaining three men around were servants, showing their hosts with a humble state. On the table on the right side of "Banquet", there are two plates of fruits. One is jujube, peach and pomegranate, and the other is three watermelons with patterns.

Although the Tang Dynasty did not find a written record related to watermelon, it left a piece of Tang Sancai watermelon. This cultural relic is now hidden in the Shaanxi History Museum and placed in an open shallow abdomen. This Tang Sancai watermelon is 13.5 cm high and 14 cm in diameter. At the top, there is a curved Gourdi, which looks wonderful, which is almost the same as real watermelon.

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Literary and ink guest love it

Wen Tianxiang wrote a poem praise, "Dream of Red Mansions" appeared many times in "Dream of Red Mansions"

Before the Song Dynasty, the number of watermelons was small and precious, and only rich talents could afford it. Once you eat it, it is unforgettable that the literati and Mo Ke's love for watermelon stay in a poem.

During the Southern Song Dynasty, Fan Cheng, a famous minister Fan Cheng wrote a "Watermelon Garden": "Bi Man Ling Cream is lying soft sand, eating watermelon everywhere. The modeling is as light as water, and he can't boast." Wen Tianxiang also wrote singing watermelon The famous article "Watermelon Yin": "Pull out the golden knife, break through the cada bottle, thousands of red cherries, a group of yellow crystals. Strive like the Han Dynasty as a public. "It is indeed Wen Tianxiang, who is worthy of being arrogant. Even if you eat a watermelon, you have to pull out the sword and cut it out. Chen Weisong in the Qing Dynasty also praised the habits: "The tenderness is cool, the red ice is condensed.

Song · Qian Choose "Qiu Guatu".

The classic masterpiece "Dream of Red Mansions" also appeared many times the scene of eating watermelon. In the twenty -sixth time, who knows Cheng Rixing of antique bank, he does not know that the freshly crispy fresh and crispy freshness, such a large watermelon, such a long fresh catfish, are so big A Siam smoked Siamese pigs who triggered a tribute to Siam. You said, his four gifts can be rare? That fish, pigs are not expensive and rare, how did this and how much he lost him. " In the thirty -six times, Aunt Xue, Baodi, and Daiyu appeared in Mrs. Wang's house to eat watermelon together. In the Mid -Autumn Festival in Jiafu, watermelon is also an important ingredient on the table. Jia Zhen deliberately tribes to Jiamu watermelon and moon cakes. Mother Jia said, "Watermelon looks good, but it can be opened." Jia Zhen explained: "Watermelon has been OK in the past years, I don't know why this year is not good." Jia Zheng made a round field: "About the reason this year is too diligent."

Zhao Yi, an associate professor at the School of Humanities of Jiangnan University, said that after the popularity of watermelons, it is necessary to wait until the Yuan Dynasty. From the words of the Ming and Qing dynasties, people eating watermelon in summer is normal, and it can be seen that a lot of planting has begun.

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Today's "eating melon people" is even happier, and the watermelon eaten by Nanjing people is convenient and delicious. In recent years, Nanjing has aimed at the positioning of boutique agriculture to develop the watermelon industry. The quality of watermelon has been improved year by year. The overall quality and the proportion of awards are high in the province. Jiangning's Hengxi watermelon is famous, and the watermelon industry in Pukou has grown rapidly. Jiang Ning mainly focuses on small fruits such as "Xiaolan" and "Su Mi 8", and Pukou and Laushui are mainly Chinese fruits such as "Meetu" and "8424", showing a variety of flowers. Add it to life with fun

Carved watermelon lamps, "forget melon to stop summer"

For the ancients, watermelon is not only used for eating, but also adds interesting life. When eating watermelon, hollowing out the melon, carving various patterns on the melon skin, hanging at the banquet in the summer, known as watermelon lamp, you can "forget melon to stop the summer". The phrase of Huang Zhiyu in the Qing Dynasty, "Good cause of the heat for the Qing Dynasty, the skill is amazing," the wonderful use of watermelon is vividly described.

There is also such a description in the Ming Dynasty "Emperor Jing Scenery": "On August 15th, the monthly sacrifice of fruit cakes must be round; Moon must be selected for round melon fruits to take the reunion. When eating melon fruit, it must be carved into a lotus.

Xu Zongyan, a literati in the Qing Dynasty, wrote a rhythm of "The Milky Mourning is a Lantern System and the Workers' Poetry": "Raw Cui Ling Xuefang, and the hotness is cool in the heat. Golden Erfu. Thousands of characters back to the ring beads to fight, and Leiwen is wrong. Zheng Xinzhen is still useful. The beauty of pattern. "Yangzhou Painting Records" also records the watermelon lamp: "It is also taken to take watermelon engraved characters, flowers, worm and fish, and the watermelon lamp." More popular.

The custom of carving watermelon has been inherited, and the watermelon lamp has been included in the non -heritage list. Compared with ancient times, today's watermelon lamps are more colorful. The most fashionable watermelon lamp is also set to a computer control device, which can be arranged into a flowing color lamp, which is beautiful.

Folk artists show Zhejiang Pinghu watermelon lamp production skills. Xinhua News Agency

Nanjing Daily/Zijinshan Journalist Xing Hong

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