我国古代食品“牢丸”考

Research of the Ancient Chinese Food "Lao Wan"

我国古代"牢丸"是何种食品?目前至少有"蒸饼(馒头)""包子(馒头)""水饺""汤团"等不同的说法。根据文献记载研究、分析,我国古代对物品有"随形而名"的习惯和特点,"牢丸"有一"丸"字,"丸"即"圆",说明"牢丸"是一种呈"丸(圆)"形的食品。另外,从"牢丸"的食用方式看,与"圆子"相符。因此,"牢丸"应是"圆子"。我国制作、食用"圆子"(包括"汤圆")的历史不晚于西晋。

What kind of food is about ＂Lao Wan＂ in ancient China？ There are at least several different views ： ＂Zheng Bing （steamed bread）＂, ＂buns （steamed bread）＂, ＂dumplings （jiaozi）＂, ＂rice bails＂. Ac- cording to literature research and analysis, it is an ancient Chinese habit to name the utensil according to its shape and characteristics. In ＂Lao Wan＂ there is a word ＂Wan＂ which means ＂round＂, this explains that ＂Lao Wan＂ is a kind of food with round shape. Besides, the eating method of ＂Lao Wan＂ is the same as＂Yuan Zi＂. Therefore, ＂Lao Wan＂ should be ＂Yuan Zi＂. The history of making and eating of ＂Yuan Zi＂ （including ＂rice balls＂） is no later than the Western Jin Dynasty in the history.