The History Of Napkin

The napkin, also known as a tablecloth, is a formal square cloth used for cleaning at banquets. It is said that in England during the 15th and 16th centuries, men still had beards since razors were not yet available. In the absence of utensils, it was easy for these gentlemen to get their beards greasy while grabbing meat with their hands. So, housewives began hanging a cloth on their necks when eating, which is one version of the origin of napkins. However, because the large, cumbersome napkins were difficult to use, a London tailor came up with a new idea to cut them into small, square pieces, which gradually became the napkins used in banquets today.

In fact, ancient China also had primitive napkins. In "The Book of Rites" written during the Warring States period, it was recorded that the tent officials of the Zhou Dynasty were responsible for covering food with towels. These towels, which were used to cover food, can be said to be the world's oldest napkins. In the Qing Dynasty, the "Huai Gua" napkin used by the emperor when eating was particularly exquisite, made of yellow silk (the color used by the emperor), with delicate embroidery and magnificent patterns of good fortune and longevity. One corner of the napkin had a button to attach it to the clothing, making it easy to use. This unique Chinese napkin was much more luxurious than the general Western napkins and was particularly convenient to use.

In summary, napkins have a long history and are an essential part of formal dining etiquette. They have evolved from being simply used to wipe greasy beards to becoming a symbol of elegance and grace at the table.