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Food and Binary Oppositions in the Chinese Meal System

Jie Qin

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

As one of the most basic and accessible social codes, food has many social and cultural connotations. This article aims to offer a semiotic reading of ordinary Chinese meals. The three-meal structure and four binary oppositions (Cooked/Raw, Fan/Cai, Solids/Liquids, and Vegetable/Meat) are discussed. The laws that govern the Chinese meal system reveal how Chinese people see themselves and others, how they connect the past and present, and how they identify themselves with their culture. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-39
JournalSociety
Volume51
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2014

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    SDG 2 Zero Hunger

Research Keywords

  • Binary opposition
  • Chinese meal
  • Food
  • Identity
  • Semiotics

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