Beijing attractions

 

 

Story of Jiaozi 

Jiaozi was originally named Jiaoer (delicate ear). It is said that Zhang Zhongjing, Medical Sage of China, made the first Jiaozi. Zhang Zhongjing lived in the Eastern Han Dynasty. He was considered one of the founders of traditional Chinese medical science. Doctors took his work On Typhoid Fever and Miscellaneous Diseases as medical classics in different periods. He was not only learned but also selfless and kind-hearted. He committed himself to healing the wounded and rescuing the dying.

In one year, the winter was extremely cold. Many people caught cold and some even had their ears badly frostbitten. To cure people of the frostbite, Zhang Zhongjing made a medicine named Jiaoer. Jiaoer was made from flour, mutton, hot peppers, and a few medicinal herbs which helped people to fend off a chill. It looked like an ear. Zhang Zhongjing cooked Jiaoer and handed out the medicine to people who suffered from cold. People felt warm and comfortable all over after they ate Jiaoer. Gradually, they got their frostbitten ears cured. That’s the origination of Jiaozi. In memory of Zhang Zhongjing and celebrating for recovery, people learned to make Jiaoer and ate it on Chinese New Year’s day.