壽 – longevity – shòu

Chopsticks turns 6 today, I can’t believe he is 6 already.  I want to keep him in a time capsule, so he will never grow old.  I remember writing the words of the week Happy Birthday for Dumpling’s birthday, so just to be fair, I should do one for Chopsticks too.

It is considered most fortunate to live a long life, so the symbol 壽 is often found in many decorations throughout a typical Chinese household.  Longevity noodles are usually served at dinners on birthday celebrations, or during Chinese New Year.  Traditionally, longevity noodles are made with a single lump of dough. The dough is stretched, then folded and stretched again until each fold creates thin threads of noodles. The process will not be finished until there are a thousand strands of noodles.

When you get a chance to enjoy it, try not to break off the noodle you are picking up, since it is believed that the longer the noodle is, the longer it suggests your life will be.

I will not be making longevity noodles for my 6 year old birthday boy tonight.  He wants to go out for sushi!  Oh well, I will make him spaghetti for lunch instead then.