In the ancient storytelling and old plays, you can often hear the saying "wine has passed three rounds, and food has five flavors", which is not only a simple feast and drink, but also contains a profound cultural charm.
"Three rounds" means three times. Imagine the host holding a flask and gently pouring wine for each guest, like a general patrolling the city, round and round. When the action of pouring wine is repeated three times, the aroma of wine is permeated, and the guests also drink the wine in the cup, at this moment, it is called "wine passing three rounds".
This cliché is like a key in the feast, which tells us that the feast at this moment is not just a simple eating and drinking, but has gone to another level. It indicates that there is something important, something substantial, and you can start to open your heart and speak freely. Or maybe it tells us that the feast is coming to an end and it's time to prepare for goodbye.
The saying "three rounds of wine" did not come out of thin air, it has deep historical roots. Before the Tang Dynasty, people ate in a very different way than we do today. At that time, people sat on the floor, each with a set of eating utensils, and ate their meals separately. Everyone occupies a place and sits apart, so when pouring wine for it, there is no feeling of "patrolling".
However, with the change of history and the introduction of Hu bed, this kind of high-legged folding chair, the way of life of the people in the Central Plains began to change. People had high stools, and gradually the table was invented, and the way of eating around the table became popular. In the Tang Dynasty, scenes of people eating around a table (similar to a rectangular high case) began to appear in various drawings. Just like in the famous "Palace Music Picture", the palace maids sit around the table, and one palace maid holds a long-handled ladle and takes turns pouring wine for the other palace maids.
The ancients had strict moderation in drinking. They advocate moderation in drinking, and if you can't drink the three lords, it will be against etiquette. Therefore, the deep meaning of "drinking over three rounds" is not only that we have drunk a lot of wine, but also reminds us that if we have something serious to discuss, then we should hurry up, if not, we should also end it in time, and do not drink too much and lose etiquette.
Such a statement not only reflects the drinking culture of the ancients, but also contains a profound philosophy of life. It tells us that whether it is feasting or living, we must have moderation and proportionality in order to maintain harmony and beauty.