冬至 Winter Solstice

冬至 (dung1 zi3), or the Winter Solstice, is one of the twenty four 節氣 (zit3 hei3) in the traditional Chinese calendar, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. It usually falls around December 21 or 22, depending on the exact timing of the solstice. This day holds significant cultural and traditional importance in Chinese culture. In fact, there is a Cantonese saying “冬大過年” (dung1 daai6 gwo3 nin4), which means Winter Solstice is more important than Chinese New Year! Although Chinese New Year overshadows this important festival due to the amount of celebrations and traditions surrounding it, the importance of reuniting on this day has been historically important to Cantonese people in particular for centuries.

The Origins of 冬至

The celebration of 冬至 (dung1 zi3) originated in the Han Dynasty (漢代, hon3 doi6), flourished during the Tang and Song Dynasties (唐宋, tong4 sung3), and has continued to this day (相沿至今, soeng1 jin4 zi3 gam1). The 清嘉录 (cing1 gaa1 luk6) even mentions the saying, “冬至大如年” (dung1 zi3 daai6 jyu4 nin4), which means the Winter Solstice is as significant as the New Year. During the Han Dynasty (漢朝, hon3 ciu4), 冬至 (dung1 zi3) was celebrated as the “Winter Festival” (冬節, dung1 zit3). The 官府 (gun1 fu2) would hold a congratulatory ceremony known as “賀冬” (ho2 dung1), and it was customary to have a public holiday (例行放假, lai6 hang4 fong3 gaa3), with the army 軍隊 (gwan1 deoi3) on standby (待命, doi6 ming6), the border 邊塞 (bin1 sai3) closed off (閉關, bai3 gwaan1), and commercial travel (商旅, soeng1 leoi5) suspended (停業, ting4 jip6). Friends and family (親朋, can1 pang4) would exchange delicious food (美食, mei5 sik6), visit each other, and joyfully celebrate a festival of “安身静體” (on1 san1 zing6 tai2), which means a time of peace and tranquility (節日, zit3 jat6).

Word Bank

The Significance of 冬至

祭祖 (zai3 zou2): Some families also perform ancestral rites on this day to honour their ancestors, believing that the spirits of the deceased are particularly attentive during this time.

“冬至郊天” dung1 zi3 gaau1 tin1 

Throughout history, Chinese emperors would leave the palace and go to a place far away from the city to perform rites on the Winter Solstice. They would pray to the heavens for good fortune for their country and people. Traditionally, Chinese people would also honour their parents, family elders and ancestors on this day by performing ancestral rites and many families still do so to this day.

陽氣回升 (joeng4 hei3 wui4 sing1): The Winter Solstice is considered a turning point when the sunlight 陽光 (joeng4 gwong1) begins to increase, symbolizing the gradual return of warmth and longer days. In ancient times, this was a time to celebrate the end of the longest night and to welcome the start of brighter days.

傳統習俗 (cyun4 tung4 zaap6 suk6): It is a time to observe various traditional customs, often involving family gatherings and special foods. In some regions, it is believed that the way the Winter Solstice is celebrated can influence the luck and health for the coming year.

Special foods for 冬至

湯圓

湯圓 (tong1 jyun4), also known as 湯團(tong1 tyun4), is also referred to as “冬至團” (dung1 zi3 tyun4), symbolizing “family reunion and happiness.” Eating 湯圆 (tong1 jyun4), or sweet rice balls, during 冬至 (dung1 zi3) is a common tradition among many people in southern China. In 廣東 (gwong2 dung1), it is also popular to eat 湯圓 (tong1 jyun4) during the Winter Solstice.

Teacher’s note: I grew up not liking 湯圓 as kid because I hated red bean, peanuts and gritty textures, but when I discovered salty egg yolk flavours (think 奶黃包 nai wong bao but in 湯圓 form), 湯圓 are now my favourite Chinese desserts~

糯米飯 glutinous rice

In this increasingly cold season, a steaming bowl of 糯米饭 (no6 mai5 faan6) not only warms the stomach but also the heart. For many older residents of 廣州 (gwong2 zau1), eating 糯米饭 (no6 mai5 faan6) is essential for a complete Winter Solstice celebration, symbolizing warmth and the idea of being “暖粒粒” (nuen6 laap1 laap1), meaning warm throughout the year. 糯米飯 (no6 mai5 faan6) in Guangdong typically includes ingredients such as 腊肉 (laap3 juk6), 香菇 (hoeng1 gu1), 虾米 (haa1 mai5), and 花生 (faa1 saang1). Recipes vary, with some being sweet and others savoury.

Teacher’s note: I personally like savoury sticky fried rice a little bit more, so here is one I included a recipe video from the amazing Mr. Lau below!

鬆糕

Next to 廣州 Guangzhou, there is a city called 佛山 (fat6 saan1), and on 冬至 Winter Solstice, it is the custom there to eat 松糕 (sung1 gou1), a type of rice flour cake that is steamed and has a very fluffy and airy texture. The 松糕 (sung1 gou1) is believed to symbolize good fortune and prosperity, so it is an important part of the celebration.

打邊爐/火鍋

Although not a historical tradition, many Chinese people opt for a friendly hotpot with their family and friends on the chilliest evening of the whole year. In Cantonese, we usually refer to it as 打邊爐 (daa2 bin1 lou4）or 火鍋 (fo2 wo1). Hotpot is a very popular food in China and there is always something for everyone!

Word Bank

What are you favourite foods for 冬至？Let us know in the comment box below! 🙂