Fortune Cookies: Cosmic Cookies of Chance

What Chinese meal is complete without the happy ending taste of the fortune cookie? While they aren't a hearty desert, their unique taste wrapped around the fortune is inextricably linked to Chinese cuisine. So what's their origin?

First things first: Fortune cookies weren't invented in China, but in the USA. There's some dispute over the actual inventor and even year of creation, but both were based in CA - one Makota Hagiwara of Golden Gate Parks Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, the other being David Jung of The Hong Kong Noodle Company in Los Angeles. Hagiwara claimed to come up with the cosmic cookies of chance in 1909, while Jung said he invented it in 1918. Finally, in 1983, San Francisco's Court of Historical Review ruled that San Francisco was the birthplace of the fortune cookie, though of course criticism of bias was leveled against the decision.

Whoever invented them, where or when, fortune cookies grew in popularity until every Chinese eatery had them. People marvel at the Asian philosophy found in them, and while some reflect authentic Asian thought, most are just great Chinese styled sayings.

Here's some fun fortunes, some wise ones and some down right wacky ones. Enjoy!

Example is better than advice.

Speak only well of people and you need never whisper.

It's up to you to create the peacefulness you need.

Don't be too timid about your actions, all life is an experiment.

You believe in the goodness of mankind.

Begin... the rest is easy.

Ignorance never settles a question.

Wise men learn more from fools than fools learn from the wise.

Your dearest wish will soon come true.

In order to win, you must participate!

Accept the next proposition you hear.

You are never selfish with your advice.

What we love to do we find time to do.

In jealousy there is more self-love than love.

Your good friend asks for your time, not your money.

You are broad minded and socially active.

A true friend is like a good book - the inside is better than the cover.

Flowers of true friendship never fade.

Friends long absent are coming back to you.

Stop searching forever, happiness is just next to you.

He who hurries cannot walk with dignity.