『맹자(孟子)』에 언급된 전국(戰國)시대의 음식문화

Food Culture of Warring States Period Described in 『Mencius』

Mencius described social phenomenon of the turbulent period China was disorderly as a series of wars against land and interests, and the people were in a state of torture. Mencius argued that in order to correct this difficulty, the king or the leaders of the country should implement the royal politics, which places importance on the people, lessens the subsidies and taxes, and cares for farming in time. This royal politics is to be able to become a rich and peaceful nation by practicing a civil liberalism based on the people, the righteousness, the example, and securing food and saving the consumption. Mencius emphasized the fact that causality is comparable to food culture, and that it should be conducted in a fair way, excluding the absence of the idolatry of power. The king advised that if the people were in trouble, they would open the food warehouse quickly as a parent to prevent hunger. At that time, people in agriculture society used grains, vegetables, dried dates, fish, meat, etc. as stocks, and grows, bear soles seemed to have been favored as dainty foods. When parents left the world, everyone continued their tradition of three years in mourning and eating thin gruel or porridge. It was advised that the politics for the people would be evident in the ruling that takes good care of the elderly.