Northeast Kang: A Warm Home against the Cold

In the freezing and snowy Northeast China, there exists a unique entity that carries the life memories and emotions of the people from the Northeast, and that is the Northeast Kang. When the cold wind is howling outside, people all wish to crawl into a warm bed. Here, the bed of the Kang can actually be heated! The Northeast Kang is not only a heating facility that brings endless warmth but also has developed unique cultural characteristics over the long years. This article will share with you the story behind the Northeast Kang.

The history of the Kang dates back a long time, with the earliest time traceable to the early or middle Western Han Dynasty. The structure of the Kang is rather complicated! It mainly consists of three "components": the stove, the Kang body, and the chimney, and none of them can be missing.

Let's start with the stove火炉(huǒ lú), which is the "energy station" of the Kang. Daily cooking and heating rely on it. The fuel, either coal or wood, once ignited, the flames leap up vigorously. The heat generated then starts to rise along the maze-like flue inside the Kang body. These flues are winding and complex, just like a "highway" specially designed for the heat, enabling the heat to distribute evenly in the Kang body and warming the Kang surface. When one lies on it, it feels like being gently held by warm big hands. Now look at the chimney. 

火炉 (huǒ lú), noun, stove

Examples:

1. The stove keeps the room warm.
   火炉使房间保持温暖。
   huǒ lú shǐ fáng jiān bǎo chí wēn nuǎn 。
2. She put some wood in the stove.
   她往火炉里放了些木头。
   tā wǎng huǒ lú lǐ fàng le xiē mù tóu 。 

Don't underestimate it. It is the "little guard for smoke exhaust" of the Kang, specially responsible for discharging the smoke. The height and position of the chimney must be carefully designed. If not appropriate, the combustion and heating effect of the Kang will be greatly reduced. Either the fire is not strong or the Kang is not hot, and that would be troublesome!

In the past, the winter in the Northeast was cold and long. The whole family often gathered around the Kang, having meals, chatting, doing needlework, playing, and more. The Kang became an important place for family reunion and communication. The elders would sit at the head of the Kang, enjoying the warmest position, while the younger generations would sit in order. This seating arrangement based on seniority reflected the traditional ethical concepts of Northeast families. For example, during the New Year, the family would stay up on the Kang on New Year's Eve, cracking melon seeds, watching the Spring Festival Gala, and welcoming the New Year together. The Kang witnessed countless such warm family moments.

The people from the Northeast are renowned for their hospitality, and the Kang is the best carrier of this enthusiasm. When guests visit, the first words of the host family are often "Quickly, take off your shoes, get on the Kang, and sit at the head of the Kang to warm up", making the guests feel the warmth of home. After the guests get on the Kang, the host will serve melon seeds, fruits, candies, etc. Everyone sits on the Kang, chatting and drinking tea, enjoying a harmonious atmosphere.

When it's meal time, a sumptuous meal will be placed on the Kang table. Everyone sits cross-legged and enjoys the food together. This way of entertaining guests on the Kang fully demonstrates the boldness and enthusiasm of the people from the Northeast.

For many people from the Northeast, the Kang carries the beautiful memories of childhood. When they were little, in the cold winter, children would do homework and play games on the Kang. At night, they would crawl into the warm bed and fall asleep sweetly while listening to the stories told by the elders. The Kang can also be used to dry clothes and shoes, allowing children to wear dry and warm clothes to go to school the next day.

In addition, baking potatoes and roasting eggs in the stove pit of the Kang is also a great pleasure for children. The fragrant baked potatoes and roasted eggs are unforgettable delicacies佳肴(jiā yáo) for many people from the Northeast during childhood.

佳肴 (jiā yáo), noun, delicacies

Examples:

1. The table was filled with delicacies.
   餐桌上摆满了佳肴。
   cān zhuō shàng bǎi mǎn le jiā yáo 。
2. They enjoyed various delicacies at the banquet.
   他们在宴会上享用了各种各样的佳肴。
   tā men zài yàn huì shàng xiǎng yòng le gè zhǒng gè yàng de jiā yáo 。 

The winter temperature in the Northeast is extremely low, often reaching minus twenty or thirty degrees Celsius or even lower. The Kang is an important guarantee for the people in the Northeast to resist the cold. On a cold night, the whole family sleeps on the Kang, covered with thick quilts. Even though the wind is howling outside, it is still warm like spring inside.

The warmth of the Kang can relieve people's physical fatigue and also has a certain role in preventing diseases such as rheumatism. Moreover, the temperature of the Kang can last for a long time. Even after the stove fire goes out, the Kang surface can still remain warm for a period of time, allowing people to sleep soundly in the cold winter nights.

With the development of the times and the improvement of living standards, nowadays in the cities of the Northeast, the Kang has gradually been replaced by modern heating equipment such as radiators and air conditioners. However, in the rural areas of the Northeast, the Kang still widely exists and is deeply loved by people. It is not only a practical heating facility but also an important part of the rural lifestyle and cultural tradition of the Northeast. For many people from the Northeast who have left their hometowns, the Kang is the eternal homesickness in their hearts, representing their longing and attachment to their hometown.