Falling on December 22nd this year, the Winter Solstice(dngzh) is one of the traditional Chinese festivals and also one of the 24 solar terms.
Since the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), by observing the movements of the sun with a sundial, China had determined the point of Winter Solstice. On the day, the Northern hemisphere has the shortest daytime and longest nighttime. After the day, the daytime will become longer and longer. It became a festival from Han Dynasty (202 BC 220 AD). People usually eat dumplings or tangyuan (a kind of stuffed ball made of glutinous rice flour) to celebrate the day.
WHY CHINESE PEOPLE CELEBRATE WINTER SOLSTICE?
The reason why the Chinese people celebrate the Winter solstice is related to the theory of Yin and Yang. According to the Chinese astrology, Yang symbolizes masculine and positive, Yin has the opposite meanings. The ancient people think from the winter solstice, the Yin is at its peak and will disappear gradually. While Yang or positive things will become stronger and stronger from the day. So winter solstice is regarded as an auspicious day to celebrate.
TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS
The dumpling is the essential food for people in northern China. After the winter solstice, it will become colder and colder. By eating dumplings, people think they can avoid their ears from being frostbitten as the dumplings look like peoples ear.
Eating tangyuan is popular in southern China.
Source: yourchineseastrology.com
Editor: Crystal H
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