Why is it forbidden to travel during the Winter Solstice?

Why can’t you go out on the night of the winter solstice?

According to the older generation, it is not advisable to go out at night during the winter solstice.

There are many reasons why you cannot go out at night during the Winter Solstice, which are mainly divided into four:

1. Folklore

It is said that when Pangu opened the sky, the Winter Solstice happened. It is a time when all evils appear, and the night is when the yin energy is relatively strong. At this time, there is a saying in many places that it is unlucky to go out at night during the winter solstice.

2. The weather is cold

The arrival of the winter solstice marks the arrival of the coldest period of the year. This is often the peak period for colds, so it is best to go early in the evening of the winter solstice It's better to go back early, and it's definitely safer to be at home at night than to wander outside.

3. Sacrificial Festivals

The Winter Solstice is not only one of the twenty-four solar terms, but also an important sacrificial festival in China. Many places have the custom of worshiping ancestors on the Winter Solstice. The yin energy is relatively strong when visiting graves to offer sacrifices during the Winter Solstice, so people usually go home early after the sacrifices.

4. Short days and long nights

The winter solstice is the shortest day and the longest night in the whole year in the northern hemisphere. In ancient times, people did not have night markets like today. With bright lights, it was inconvenient for people in ancient times to go out at night, so people in ancient times would go home early before dark.

What taboos should we pay attention to during the Winter Solstice?

1. Avoid going out

After the winter solstice, the days get longer and the Yang energy begins to grow, so you need to rest and rest, so there is a saying that you should not go out during the winter solstice.

2. Avoid swearing

In Shaoxing, Zhejiang, avoid swearing, quarrels, and unlucky words on the Winter Solstice, such as "death", "sickness", "injury", etc. , otherwise it will cause trouble.

3. Avoid sweeping the floor

In Hangzhou, Zhejiang, sweeping the floor inside and outside the house the night before the winter solstice is called "sweeping the floor every other year." However, sweeping the floor is not allowed on the winter solstice, otherwise it will Blessings were also swept away.

4. Avoid going to bed late

In Huzhou area, it is taboo for the elderly and children to sleep late on the winter solstice. Local people believe that the yin energy is the strongest on the night of the Winter Solstice, and the elderly and children have insufficient yang energy and must go to bed early to avoid it.