The origin of Winter Solstice:
Winter Solstice is one of the twenty-four solar terms and an important traditional festival in China, with the saying 'Winter Solstice is as big as the year'. According to records, during the Zhou and Qin dynasties, the eleventh month of winter was considered the first lunar month, and the winter solstice was considered the beginning of the new year. The Book of Han states: "On the winter solstice, the yang energy rises, and you, the Taoist priest, celebrate." This indicates that people originally celebrated the Winter Solstice Festival to celebrate the arrival of a new year. In the Han Dynasty, the Winter Solstice was celebrated as the winter festival, and the government held a congratulatory ceremony called 'He Dong', which was a holiday for rest. During the Tang and Song dynasties, the Winter Solstice was a day for worshipping the heavens and ancestors. The emperor held a grand ceremony to worship the heavens, and the people paid tribute to their parents and elders. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Winter Solstice was an important day for worshipping the heavens and ancestors.
Customs of Winter Solstice:
1.Ancestral Worship: In folk culture, there is a custom of worshipping ancestors on the winter solstice and paying respects to parents and elders. There is a common saying in Fujian and Taiwan that goes, 'On the winter solstice, there is a big Chinese New Year, and if you don't return, you have no ancestors.' It means that people who go out to make a living should rush back to their hometown to worship their ancestors during the winter solstice festival.
2.Eating dumplings: On the winter solstice of the lunar calendar every year, regardless of wealth, dumplings are an essential holiday meal. This custom originated from the tradition of commemorating the medical saint Zhang Zhongjing who gave up medicine during the winter solstice.
3.Eating Wonton: There is a saying in old Beijing that "Wonton noodles on the winter solstice and noodles on the summer solstice". It is said that during the Han Dynasty, the northern Huns often harassed the border areas, and the people used meat stuffing to make corners, which was called Wonton in the voice of Hun and Tun.
4.Eating lamb: It is said that the custom of eating lamb on the Winter Solstice began in the Han Dynasty. It is said that Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, ate lamb cooked by Fan Kuai on the day of the Winter Solstice and found it particularly delicious.
5.Eating rice dumpling: Eating rice dumpling has been established in the Ming and Qing dynasties, symbolizing family harmony and auspiciousness. It is said that people are one year older after eating rice dumpling.
6. Jiu Jiu Xiao Han: After entering Jiu Jiu, some literati and literati engage in activities to dispel the cold. On the 19th day, they meet up with nine people to drink alcohol, with nine plates and nine bowls on the table. For those who form a table, nine flower mats are used to symbolize Jiu Jiu Xiao Han.
