In traditional Chinese culture, the winter solstice is not just a solar term, it is a turning point in time, a bridge between the past and the future. When the bell rings for the winter solstice, our minds drift to those ancient legends and customs, especially the well-known one: eating dumplings. But you know what?Eating dumplings is not just a simple action, it contains deep cultural significance and a touching story behind it.
According to ancient records, the winter solstice was regarded as an important festival in ancient China, known as the Ya Sui, the Winter Festival, the Long Solstice Festival, etc. On this day, people express their awe for nature and respect for life through rituals such as worshipping ancestors and worshipping the sky. The advent of the winter solstice heralds the transition of yin and yang, and the gradual growth of the day, implying new beginnings and the germination of hope.
The custom of eating dumplings is said to commemorate Zhang Zhongjing, a medical saint in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Legend has it that Zhang Zhongjing saw the people suffering from the cold, especially the frostbite of many people's ears, so he invented a food rich in mutton and medicinal herbs, shaped like ears, which was later called "dumplings". After eating these "dumplings", people not only warm their bodies, but also get frostbitten ears. Since then, every winter solstice, every household makes dumplings to commemorate Zhang Zhongjing's kindness and wisdom.
In addition, there is also a legend about Nuwa and the divine doctor Bian Que that is also related to eating dumplings. These stories, true or not, reflect the Chinese's appreciation of life and reverence for the natural world.
The custom of eating dumplings on the winter solstice is not only a food enjoyment, but also a cultural inheritance, a memory of history and an expectation for the future. In this cold season, let's wrap a bowl of hot dumplings together and feel the warmth and power of tradition together.
Dumplings are eaten in honor of whom