Fortune Cookies and the wisdom they contain

Today I decided I would blog about something fun....

Whenever I eat Chinese Food, I get a fortune cookie....I have been saving the fortunes I like for about 20 years, and once in a while I pull them out of my wallet and read them.

 

Thought I would share with you the history of the fortune cookie, and my favorite fortune's that I have accumulated over the years.

 

Fact No. 1:          

 

The fortune cookie did not originate in China - it was created here in the  good  'ol  USA!  There are several theories about exactly who created the cookie, but the common thread is all of the tales originate in San Francisco and occur in the period between the late 1800's and early 1900's.  The stories range from inserting thank you notes inside hard biscuits, to a hard flat cookie containing biblical references.

 

Ultimately, the cookie design, a flat piece of dough folded to secure the message prevailed and contained strips of paper inscribed with Chinese wisdom.

 

Fact No. 2:

 

The fortune cookie idea probably came from Chinese origin.  In China during the 13th and 14th centuries,China was occupied by the Mongols.   The Chinese people, desirous of a revolution to free themselves, hid messages inside moon cakes of the coming revolution date and handed these cakes out to revolutionaries in occupied cities.  These cakes were made out of Lotus nut paste, which the Mongols did not like.  The subsequent successful revolution formed the basis for the Ming Dynasty.   and the Chinese to this day celebrate the Moon Festival.  This celebration is associated with the largest full moon of the year and the fall harvest (much like Thanksgiving in America);  this moon cake tale adds an additional dimension and special meaning to this Chinese holiday for those who celebrate it.

 

Fact No. 3

 

Fortune cookies became standard fare in Chinese Restaurants in the 1940's.

 Enough trivia--  here are my absolute favorite fortunes that I have received over the years:

• "Admire those that succeed, and learn from their success"

• "Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation"

• "People may doubt what you say but they will believe what you do"

• "You will continue to take chances and be glad you did"

• "A partnership shall prove successful for you"

• "You are extremely generous and are always thinking of others"

• "You will do better in Real Estate than in stocks"

• "Today is a lucky day for those who remain cheerful and optimistic"

• "Opportunity knocks on your door every day.  Answer it."

• "Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed"

• "You will make a change for the better"

• "If a true sense of value is to be yours, it must come through service"

• "Let your reach exceed your grasp"

• "You will make a fortune with your friend"

 

By the way, I rarely eat the cookie.  I like the prize much better!

 

Have a great week!