The messages inside fortune cookies are consumed in the billions annually, yet the source of their content remains largely obscured. Understanding the origin of the cookie and the logistics of its modern mass production reveals that the writing process is less mystical than imagined. The content is created not by a secret society of sages, but by a small number of individuals and a sophisticated, business-driven system focused on high volume and broad, inoffensive appeal.
The True Origin of Fortune Cookies
Fortune cookies are an American invention, despite their association with Chinese restaurants. The concept traces its roots back to Japan, where a similar cracker called tsujiura senbei was made in the 19th century and often contained small paper fortunes. These Japanese crackers were typically made with a darker dough and flavored with ingredients like miso or sesame, making them savory rather than sweet.
Japanese immigrants brought this tradition to the United States in the early 20th century, producing a sweeter version in California. Chinese-American restaurateurs began adopting the cookies, particularly after World War II, when the mass internment of Japanese Americans forced many Japanese bakeries to close. Chinese-owned companies filled the supply gap, transforming the cookie into the vanilla-flavored, mass-produced treat standard at the end of a Chinese-American meal.
The Modern Writers: A Job That Rarely Exists
The role of “fortune cookie writer” is rarely a dedicated, full-time position, but rather an ancillary duty assumed by internal employees. At Wonton Food Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer, the task traditionally falls to senior administrative staff. Donald Lau, for example, served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Fortune Writer for over three decades, personally composing hundreds of messages.
This responsibility has since been passed down to other employees, such as James Wong, who took over the role in 2017. These writers draw inspiration from proverbs, philosophical texts, and observations of everyday life. Smaller companies may rely on owners, administrative assistants, or even freelance writers and public submissions to build their database of sayings.
Anatomy of the Message
The Fortune or Aphorism
The primary message is a carefully crafted statement designed for universal interpretation and positive application. Its psychological appeal relies heavily on the Forer or Barnum effect, which causes people to believe vague, generalized descriptions are specific to their personal situation. This intentional vagueness allows a message like “An unexpected opportunity will soon present itself” to resonate with nearly every reader.
The physical constraints of the paper slip dictate concise writing. Most printing processes limit the message to three lines of text, with a maximum of about 30 characters per line. This limitation forces writers to distill advice into short, impactful phrases that focus on themes like love, success, and perseverance.
The Lucky Numbers
The inclusion of a sequence of lucky numbers is a standard feature on the back of many fortune slips, serving as a secondary element of entertainment. These are typically six two-digit numbers intended for use as lottery picks. This feature gained notoriety in 2005 when over 100 people across the United States won the Powerball lottery’s second-place prize, all having used the same set of numbers printed on Wonton Food’s slips.
The Call to Action or Advertisement
A modern addition is the incorporation of marketing elements, transforming the slip into a promotional tool. This often takes the form of a company website address, a social media handle, or a scannable Quick Response (QR) code. The slip becomes a tiny, physical advertisement that is often retained by the customer, offering a high recall rate for brands. Educational institutions and other companies have leveraged this space to run campaigns, delivering motivational language paired with a QR code that directs diners to an enrollment or information page.
The Business Logistics of Fortune Generation
Maintaining the illusion of infinite fortunes requires a sophisticated business operation focused on database management and message rotation. Wonton Food Inc., which produces over 5.5 million cookies daily, maintains a database of approximately 15,000 unique fortunes. This scale ensures that customers do not receive the same message too frequently.
The process involves a constant cycle of writing new fortunes, filtering them, and retiring older messages. New submissions are filtered through a committee to ensure they adhere to strict thematic guidelines. Manufacturers reserve the right to reject any content deemed unlawful, hateful, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate, reflecting a commitment to maintaining a family-friendly, inoffensive product.
The Unwritten Rules of Fortune Cookie Content
The content of a mass-produced fortune cookie is governed by a strict set of unwritten rules designed to preserve the celebratory nature of the treat. The primary rule is an absolute mandate for positivity, requiring the avoidance of any messages perceived as negative, threatening, or overly specific. This ensures the cookies function as a pleasant end to a meal.
Writers consistently avoid political commentary, controversial topics, and any predictions related to death or disaster. The messages must be broadly applicable, steering clear of highly personal details. This results in the use of philosophical aphorisms or generalized advice that every reader can interpret as relevant. The narrow character limit further reinforces the need for brevity and universal themes.