Learning the Story Behind Chinese Fortune Cookies

One hasty crack and you'll soon unlock the much anticipated secret of your unpredictable luck. Others can't even leave their Chinese tables without a fortune cookie in their hands and while it may not be accurate, the papers tucked away inside the cookie shells do stimulate change in our lives. A moving word of wisdom after a lavish Chinese meal is another technique for ancient Chinese culture to reach out and impress the world.

Crispy, light, and appetizing, fortune cookies used to play a big role in the initial Chinese revolution. In the 13th century, when Chinese territory was invaded by Mongols, revolutionary leaders baked some moon cakes not to offer retreat from the antagonists but to trick their way into winning the war. Chu Yuan Chang, who was hidden as one Taoist missionary priest, sent out forbidden messages hidden via the lotus paste of moon cakes. Because Mongols did not have a favored yearning for lotus paste, they did not trace the conspiracies. The rebel soldiers soon took advantage of their weakness and succeeded in winning the combat. Secret messages in moon cakes were then found inside the fortune cookies; eventually, through these treats, Chinese workers of American railways tried to stimulate some of their friends with happy reminders.