The winter solstice is one of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms, and it is an important node in winter, which means the arrival of the coldest time of the year!
The time of the winter solstice is the 316th day from the moment of the beginning of spring, according to the time of the sexagenary branch, that is, the 16th day of the sub-month, which is probably around December 22 in the solar calendar, for example, the winter solstice time in 2023 is exactly December 22.
On the day of the winter solstice, people in different regions will use their own unique Xi to celebrate and welcome the important festival of the winter solstice.
Eating rice balls on the winter solstice is a traditional southern Xi, symbolizing reunion and family harmony, and many families will prepare various flavors of rice balls, such as sesame, peanuts, bean paste filling, etc., and families sit around to taste this delicious glutinous rice rice balls.
The winter solstice sun is also a southern Xi, because the winter solstice is short and precious, people will especially cherish this rare sunshine, go out to bask in the sun to replenish the energy needed in winter.
Eating dumplings on the winter solstice is a traditional Xi in the north, everyone likes to eat dumplings on the day of the winter solstice, which has the meaning of reunion and blessing, and the legend that eating dumplings is not afraid of freezing ears. According to legend, the Xi of eating dumplings** was in ancient times, and dumplings were shaped like the yuan treasure currency of the time, and people believed that they could bring themselves fortune.
Drinking millet porridge on the winter solstice is also a Xi in northern and some southern regions, and people use millet to cook porridge to symbolize the celebration of the year's harvest and hope for the new year.
Ancestor worship on the winter solstice is also a northern Xi, and people will worship in the family ancestral hall or in front of the ancestral tomb to express their respect and remembrance of their ancestors.
Firecrackers before the winter solstice are also a traditional celebration in some parts of the north, and it is believed that firecrackers can ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune to welcome the arrival of the new year.
On the day of the winter solstice, in addition to the above general Xi customs in the south and north, there are some special Xi customs in some areas:
On the day of the winter solstice, the Yi and other ethnic minorities in the southwest region hold rituals to pray for a good harvest and peace in the coming year, and wear traditional festival costumes to celebrate the winter solstice with songs and dances.
In the country of Sichuan Tianfu, there is also the Xi of eating mutton and drinking mutton soup, and people hope to nourish and hope for a good omen in the coming year.
In some parts of Guangdong, people will "add vegetables" to the winter solstice meal, and winter solstice meat is an indispensable delicacy on the table, in order to pray for good luck and good luck in the coming year.
Guizhou and other regions also have a saying that "eat dog meat on the winter solstice, and fight tigers in next spring", everyone eats dog meat on the day of the winter solstice, in order to have a good luck next year.
In the Jiangnan region, there is also the Xi of eating red bean sticky rice on the winter solstice, which is said to ward off evil spirits and prevent disasters.
These winter solstice Xi customs all symbolize reunion, auspiciousness, blessing and celebration!
If your hometown is on the day of the winter solstice, and there are some other Xi, please leave a message to share the happiness of this winter!