The Narrative Research on the Cultural Symbol of "Wine" in Water Margin

Abstract

The wine culture in Water Margin has deeply penetrated into all narrative layers, becoming a core element for shaping characters and driving plot development. Wine is not only a symbol of the heroes' boldness and verve, but also an important bond of brotherhood in the martial world and social conflicts. From the scene of fighting the tiger on Jingyang Ridge to the heist of the Shengchen, the aroma of wine is intertwined with heroic courage and power games. As wine cups rise and fall, they mirror the diverse customs of Bianjing (capital of the Northern Song Dynasty) in the Northern Song Dynasty; beneath the joy and enmity of jianghu, figures lying the fission crisis of the feudal order. Wine culture is not merely a cultural symbol, but a mirror of the era's spirit and human joys and sorrows, reflecting the deep rhythms of Chinese society in the 12th century.