Xunyi Flower Steamed Buns

Xunyi Flower Steamed Buns

　　Xunyi flower steamed buns are a type of folk dough sculpture. In the countryside, these buns are steamed during festivals and holidays. For example, during Chinese New Year, they make large steamed buns, date flowers, gold ingot figures, and gold ingot baskets; on the 15th day of the first lunar month, they create dough cups and make steamed animal figurines such as sheep, dogs, chickens, and pigs for children; during Qingming Festival, they shape dough into swallows; during Qiqiao Festival (also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day), they craft flower buns (known as “skillful buns”), shaped like pomegranates, peaches, tigers, lions, fish, etc.; in April, married daughters give their parents “dough fish,” symbolizing a bountiful harvest; some daughters also bring “tiger head wontons” as part of their dowry when getting married; during the Cold Food Festival, tomb offerings include “snake coils” to ward off disasters; spring swallows are made to signify the return of spring; when a baby turns one month old, a “whole bun” is made to represent “prosperity of dragons and phoenixes” or “a fierce tiger driving away evil spirits”; for the elderly celebrating birthdays, “large longevity peaches” are used, among others. Flower steamed buns come in various forms depending on the season and their purpose in folk tradition.

　　 The main ingredient for making flower buns is wheat flour, along with supplementary ingredients such as beans, dates, and pepper; the tools needed are very common ones like scissors, combs, and kitchen knives; the techniques involved include cutting, kneading, pinching, pulling, lifting, pressing, rubbing, twisting, and pressing. Aside from being edible, flower buns are also highly ornamental, serving as a way for people to express their hopes and wishes.

　　 During festivals, birthdays of elders, baby’s one-month celebration, full moon parties, weddings, funerals, or ancestor worship, it is an old rural custom to make flower buns as gifts or ceremonial offerings.

　　 The decorations on flower buns mainly feature lifelike images of flowers, birds, insects, fish, butterflies, vegetables, fruits, monkeys offering peaches, and other elements of nature, expressing reverence for ancestors, blessings for elders, congratulations to newlyweds, and love and longing for a beautiful life. On the Dragon Boat Festival in May or when a baby turns one month old, the maternal uncle’s family gives the nephew a specially made large round dough flower called “quilian” by locals, which is sculpted with images of fish, dragons, lotus flowers, etc. Fish signify a bumper grain harvest and abundance; dragons represent smooth fortune and rapid advancement; lotuses suggest blooming happiness and joy at the doorstep.

　　 The content of all flower buns symbolizes good fortune and peace, embodying people’s deep and beautiful emotions. They also reflect and express specific national psychology and character.