Mo or Momo , Mantou , literally steamed bread, is one of the staple foods of North China residents. According to historical records, residents of southern Shanxi Province, where is teeming with wheat, pay great attention to steaming techniques and make different shapes of Mo. Hundreds of years later, the exquisite Mo culture has become a unique local scene.

As the Chinese New Year approaches in the 12th month according to the  the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, the atmosphere of the Spring Festival grows more intense. Peasant households in the rural areas of southern Shanxi Province clean their houses, make new clothes and buy various items for the Spring Festival. Meanwhile, housewives make various kinds of Mo of decorative patterns, using high quality wheat flour. Strolling into a farmer's house, one may encounter various kinds of Mo of colorful and varied patterns, which are really dazzling and breathtaking.

Different festivals come in different seasons of the year, and the Mo also has different patterns for every season.

The Chinese New Year is the most important and grand festival for Chinese people, especially in peasant households. On New Year's Eve, they have the jujube-flower Mo, jujube-hill Mo, jujube-basket Mo, gold-pot Mo and silvery-pot Mo. It is said that such Mo made of Chinese jujube and wheat flour will make one wiser and more decisive and luckier in the coming year. According to elders, a jujube-basket Mo, gold-pot Mo or silvery-pot Mo means one will gain gold and silver and get a good harvest in the coming year; a jujube-hill Mo means one will be well-off, rich, healthy and happy with their family for the rest of their lives.

During the Yuanxiao Festival (15th of the first lunar month), Wonton Mo is prepared. This type of Mo ensures that the family will be safe and in harmony with their neighbors.

During the Dragon Boat Festival (fifth of the fifth lunar month), Tiger Mo is made. The tiger is the king of the animals and the symbol of bravery and prosperity. Local households have Tiger Mo in hopes that their offspring will be as brave as the tiger and attain great achievements in life.

On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, peasant households prepare lotus flower Mo, which will keep one prudent and unselfish, uncontaminated from society, lofty and pure their whole life.

On the Mid Autumn Day (15th of the eighth lunar month), moon cakes are made. Local households share moon cakes while they gaze at the distant full moon and think about their relatives far away.

As the Mo means different things for various festivals, it also means different things for every birthday.

When an infant is one month old, the drum Mo and jujube-grow Mo are made. The drum Mo means that the infant has stepped into its life journey, while the latter symbolizes the parents' high hopes that the infant will grow up fast.

When the infant is one year old, the fish Mo is made, which means that the infant will be affluent all its life.

When the baby reaches 12 years of age, the neckband Mo is made. It is circulated among the people that the neckband is amulet and that having the neckband Mo, children will be protected and their lives will run smoothly.

Mo, on the important occasions of one's life, also means different things.

The pastry Mo is prepared for marriage ceremonies and symbolizes that the couple will be happy and will continuously upgrade their living standard. The pastry Mo is colorful and florid, such as the Nine Phoenixes Flying to the Sun and the Nine Dragons Playing Around a Precious Bead, on top of which, the design of a person, flower and bird, fish and insect, phoenix and dragon, is vivid and lifelike. A pastry Mo is usually heavier than 10 kg, and thus can be made by several master hands for nearly a whole day.

The peach Mo , which looks like a heart, shows the filial devotion from the young people, and is made for the elder's birthday. Formerly, parents devoted themselves to bringing up children, and now children show their filial obedience and love to them, hoping they will live long, happy lives.

When an elder dies, his or her family and neighbors will make the bag Mo for the memorial ceremony, symbolizing the faults and achievements of the dead, and drawing a full stop to symbolize the end of one's life.

Although the culture of food changes continually, Mo, with its different patterns, dates back to a long time ago. Mo reflects the ancient food culture in of northern China. While tasting various kinds of Mo, you can feel the local people's love and yearning for a bright future.

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