What is the winter solstice festival?

The winter solstice is an important festival, which falls on February 20 or 22 every year, usually in the winter of the solar calendar. In China and some other East Asian countries, the winter solstice is regarded as one of the most important solar terms in a year. Below I will explain in detail the origin of the winter solstice, the traditional way to celebrate it and its importance in culture.

The winter solstice can be traced back to ancient China. It is an important solar term in farming society, marking the end of crop growth period and the beginning of a new round of agricultural production. On the solstice in winter, the day is the shortest, the night is the longest, and the oblique angle of the sun is the smallest. People believe that the sunshine will gradually increase after the solstice, which symbolizes the arrival of the new year and brings hope and prosperity.

On the solstice of winter, people will hold various celebrations. One of the most famous is eating glutinous rice balls. Tangyuan is a round snack made of glutinous rice flour, which symbolizes reunion and integrity. People believe that eating glutinous rice balls can bring good luck and happiness, and the significance of reunion is closely related to family values in China culture.

Besides eating jiaozi, people also have some traditional rituals and customs. For example, jiaozi is eaten in the north, Laba porridge is eaten in the south, and ancestor worship or dragon boat races are held in some places. These customs and celebrations vary from region to region, but they all reflect people's concern about the winter solstice and their expectation for the arrival of the New Year.

The solstice of winter has a profound influence on China culture. It is not only a solar term, but also a meaningful festival. The solstice in winter represents the balance of Yin and Yang, the natural cycle and the harmony between man and nature. The solstice of winter also symbolizes family reunion and people's expectations for the future.

In a word, the winter solstice is an important festival with a long history and rich cultural connotation. Whether it is the way to celebrate or the moral behind the festival, the solstice of winter carries people's yearning for happiness and prosperity. This festival reminds us to cherish affection and friendship, and at the same time, it also makes us reflect on the beauty of nature and the relationship between man and nature.