Disappearing customs is a fact in modern living. Often, what remains of an ancient tradition is a dish or a confection. In Chinese culture, the link between the past and present is never more evident than festival time. Ritual, feasts and specialties mark each occasion. "Chinese Feasts and Festivals: A Cookbook" explores this aspect of Chinese culture with a collection of favorite recipes in celebration. The rich culinary tradition of China is largely inspired by a calendar year filled with a generous round of festivities - festivals, reunions, weddings and anniversaries - joyous occasions for eating, drinking and making merry, and for paying homage to the gods and ancestors. Food, fittingly, is a combination of flavors and symbols (wealth, happiness, luck, prosperity), a spiritual celebration and an earthly pleasure. In this book, the author has assembled a number of facts and fancies, as well as a collection of festival specialities for the Chinese food lover to read and enjoy or, if the spirit takes flight, cook up a feast that will impress both mortals and ancestors and win the approval of the gods.