In Xi'an, the capital of China's Shaanxi province, in a small workshop tucked away in the old streets of Weiqu, Ms. Yang is busy making a traditional Shaanxi delicacy called flower buns. This ancient craft is especially important during the Chinese New Year, as it is not only a food, but also a gift that carries a deep sense of hometown and cultural tradition.
A few days after the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, according to traditional customs, the mother's family will send lanterns and flower buns to the daughter's family as holiday gifts. This custom has a long history, passed down from generation to generation, and has become an indispensable part of the Spring Festival in Shaanxi. The lantern represents light and hope, while the flower bun symbolizes reunion and a good harvest. These items not only bring a festive atmosphere to the daughter's family, but also express the love and blessings of the mother's family to the daughter.
Ms. Yang is one of the inheritors of this traditional craft, and she has been making flower buns in a small workshop on the old street of Weiqu for three years. Her craftsmanship is well-known in the local area, especially during traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival, and her flower buns are in short supply. Recently, as the Spring Festival approaches, the peak period for ordering flower buns has also followed. According to Ms. Yang, on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year alone, she received more than 100 orders for 16 flower buns each, which means that the number of flower buns sold in a single day exceeded 1,600.
Ms. Yang's studio is filled with molds and materials. She told us that she makes more than 100 different flower buns, each with its own unique meaning and meaning. Some are peonies that symbolize good luck, some are pine trees that represent longevity and health, and some are double-hearted patterns that express love. These buns are not only beautiful, but also have a sweet taste and are loved by adults and children.
New Year's holidays, especially traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, are the peak period for ordering steamed buns. Ms. Yang's customers are basically regular customers who order year after year, some for themselves to taste and some to give to friends and family. In the eyes of these old customers, Ms. Yang's flower bun is not only a food, but also an emotional sustenance, and a kind of deep affection for family and friends.
In this fast-paced era, many traditional crafts are in danger of being lost. However, Ms. Yang sticks to her beliefs and takes care to make each bun, hoping to pass on this traditional delicacy and culture. Her persistence also paid off, and more and more young people began to take an interest in the craft and were willing to come and learn how to make flower buns.
The Spring Festival is getting closer and closer, and Ms. Yang's small workshop is getting busier and busier. She and her apprentices have to get up early and stay late every day, busy mixing dough, mixing colors, shaping, and baking. Although the work is very hard, Ms. Yang will feel extremely satisfied and happy every time she sees the lifelike flower buns baked and hears the praise of customers.
With the advent of the Spring Festival, Ms. Yang's flower buns have also become a beautiful scenery on people's dining tables. Whether it is at the dinner table of the mother's house or at the banquet of the daughter's house, those colorful and different shapes of flower buns can always attract people's attention and arouse a voice of admiration. They not only satisfy people's taste buds, but also warm people's hearts.
In this festival full of joy and reunion, Ms. Yang's flower buns carry more of a cultural memory and emotional exchange. They allow people to taste the food at the same time, but also feel the warmth of home and the pride of the nation. This traditional delicacy from Xi'an, Shaanxi Province is not only a dish, but also a cultural inheritance, a transmission of emotions, and a sharing of happiness.
With the end of the festival, Ms. Yang's flower buns have also fulfilled their mission, but the warmth and happiness they bring will remain in people's hearts for a long time. For Ms. Yang, each success has strengthened her determination to continue the craft. She believes that as long as she works hard, this traditional delicacy and culture will be passed on to more people to understand and love.