The winter solstice is the 22nd of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar and one of the important festivals in traditional Chinese culture. On this day, the sun shines directly on the southern hemisphere of the earth, and the northern hemisphere has the shortest days and the longest nights, marking the official start of winter. The winter solstice has a unique place in Chinese culture, and there are different ways and customs to celebrate it across the country. Here are some representative winter solstice customs.
1. Worship the heavens and worship the ancestors. On the day of the winter solstice, people in many regions will hold activities to worship the heavens and ancestors, praying for the blessing of the gods for a good harvest and good weather in the coming year. This custom originated from the ancient reverence for the gods of heaven and earth, and it is also a kind of nostalgia and respect for ancestors.
2. Stick to the door god. On the day of the winter solstice, people in many places will put up portraits of the door gods in order to expel ** and bless peace. These depictions usually depict two valiant deities, one holding a sword and the other holding a copper leaf, in a majestic and majestic image. The custom of sticking to the door god originated from the ancient people's fear of ghosts and gods, and it is also a prayer for family peace.
3. Eat dumplings. In northern China, the custom of eating dumplings on the winter solstice has been passed down for a long time, symbolizing family harmony and happiness. This custom originates from a legend of the ancient medical saint Zhang Zhongjing. It is said that on the day of the winter solstice, Zhang Zhongjing saw many poor people falling ill due to the cold, so he invented a food that wrapped herbs in the skin to ** chilblains. This food later evolved into dumplings, which became a symbol of the winter solstice festival. Therefore, on the day of the winter solstice, the people of the north will eat dumplings, which means reunion and happiness.
4. Eat glutinous rice balls on the winter solstice. In the south, eating tangyuan on the winter solstice is an important custom. Tangyuan is a round dessert made from glutinous rice flour, which symbolizes reunion and consummation.
5. The winter solstice counts ninety-nine. The winter solstice is the starting point of counting ninety-nine, and people will count nine nine days, each of which is a "nine" until the end of the ninth nine-day, which is when spring comes. Each "nine" has a proverb to describe the change in the weather, such as "1929 does not shoot, 3949 walks on the ice, 5969 looks at the willows by the river". The custom of counting nine cold days originates from the observation and summary of climate change by ancient people, and it is also a unique experience and feeling of winter.
6. Winter solstice dragon boat race. In some areas of the south, there is a custom of dragon boat racing on the winter solstice. People will race dragon boats, which symbolize praying for safety and a good harvest in the coming year.
In short, the winter solstice, as an important solar term, occupies a pivotal position in Chinese culture, and at the same time, other countries and regions also have different ways of celebrating and customs. Whether it is to worship the heavens and ancestors, eat dumplings, stick to the door gods, or count ninety-nine, these customs are to celebrate the winter solstice, the solar term, and express people's awe and gratitude for heaven and earth, ancestors, food, etc. At the same time, these customs also embody some values and spiritual pursuits in traditional Chinese culture. On this special day, let us feel the charm of the winter solstice together, and wish everyone a warm and beautiful winter.