The legend of chopsticks, tradition and uses »Culture and traditions
The ancient oriental tradition of eating with chopsticks dates back at some time 3,000 years ago in the past, and although there is no historical record to give us a specific date, there are several legends about it, and one of the most widespread in China is that of a soldier named Da Yu.
Soldier Da Yu was at the service of Emperor Shun, and it was he who charged him with the complicated mission of channeling the river again, which, due to the heavy rains, had experienced major floods, ruining many of the crops of his subjects. Without delay, the faithful soldier undertook the journey, promising not to waste a moment, no matter how tired, hungry or thirsty he was.
While navigating the river he felt the stab of hunger, and in a great hurry to not waste time he cooked some meat, but he had nothing to take it out of the cauldron, at least until it cooled a little. As waiting was not among his plans, he improvised as he could and taking two twigs he began to practice removing pieces of meat from the boiling stew.
During the second meal he tried two fine pieces of bamboo, and successively he developed a great ability to eat with this unique tool, being able to eat and work at the same time. The rest of his assistants saw the advantages of this method, since they did not stain their hands or burn with food, so little by little everyone imitated him, and thus his use was extended until it became a common custom. Or at least this tells us the legend.
As for tradition and superstitions, there are some curiosities about what should and should not be done, such as that it is very bad to leave sticks stuck in the rice bowl, since this is considered similar to the custom of lighting incense sticks at funerals. It is also impolite to tap with chopsticks on the plate, because this is the way beggars have to ask for money, and it can be a cause for reprimand by the elders of the house.