The origin and significance of winter solstice

More than 2,500 years ago, China observed the sun with Tugui, and determined the winter solstice, which is also a traditional festival of the Chinese nation. People attach great importance to this day. The winter solstice is the earliest of the 24 solar terms in China, commonly known as "Winter Festival", "Dragon Solstice Festival" and "Asian New Year".

Ancient people thought that since the winter solstice, the yang of heaven and earth began to flourish, representing the beginning of the next cycle. This is a very auspicious day, so people often hold activities such as ancestor worship and family dinners from the winter solstice. The winter solstice is also called "off-year". First of all, it means that the China New Year is coming. Secondly, it means that the winter solstice is similar to the Spring Festival in China, which is very important.

Meaning:

1. People originally celebrated the Winter Solstice Festival to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. The ancients believed that from the day of winter solstice, the yang of heaven and earth began to flourish and become strong, representing the beginning of the next cycle, which was a day of great prosperity. Therefore, later, during the Spring Festival, ancestor worship, family dinners and other customs were observed. Usually choose the solstice in winter. The winter solstice is also called "off-year". First, it shows that the year is approaching and there is not much time left. The second is to show the importance of the winter solstice.

2. The winter solstice festival is also called the winter festival and the winter festival. It is not only one of the 24 solar terms, but also a traditional festival in China. The winter solstice is the earliest of the 24 solar terms. There is a saying that "the winter solstice is a big year", which has always been valued by the court and the people. Since the Zhou Dynasty, there have been sacrificial activities. Taking the winter solstice as a holiday originated in the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and continues to this day.

3. The solstice in winter is the best time for health preservation, mainly because "Qi starts from the solstice in winter". Because from beginning of winter, life activities began to turn from decline to prosperity, from static rotation. At this time, scientific health preservation helps to ensure vigorous energy and prevent premature aging, thus achieving the purpose of prolonging life. During the winter solstice, the diet should be diversified, grain, fruit, meat and vegetables should be matched reasonably, and foods with high calcium content should be selected appropriately.

In winter solstice, different places have different customs. Most places in northern China have the custom of eating jiaozi from winter solstice. After thousands of years of development, a unique seasonal diet culture has been formed from winter solstice to Sunday. On the solstice of winter, eating jiaozi has become the traditional custom of most northern people in China. Of course, there are exceptions, such as the custom of drinking mutton soup from winter solstice in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province, which means driving away the cold.