Why do you want to eat jiaozi in the northern winter solstice solar terms?

Because in the north of China, it is said that when Zhang Zhongjing retired in his later years, when he saw people who were frozen, he wrapped mutton, some cold-dispelling herbs and dough into ears, made a medicine called "Quhan Jiaoer Decoction" and gave it to the people. Later, on the solstice of winter, people imitated eating and formed a custom.

Winter solstice custom

Many places in southern China will celebrate the winter solstice. Some coastal areas in the south continue the traditional custom of ancestor worship. Every household is dedicated to ancestor statues, memorial tablets, etc. Go to the hall at home, place an altar, set up incense burners, offerings, etc. In some areas in the south, eating the winter solstice ball is more popular, which means reunion. On the morning of winter solstice, every household grinds glutinous rice flour, and uses sugar, meat, radish, fruit and shredded radish as stuffing to make winter solstice meatballs, which are not only eaten at home, but also given to relatives and friends as a symbol of blessing.

Most places in northern China have the custom of eating jiaozi on the solstice in winter. After thousands of years of development, a unique seasonal diet culture has been formed from winter solstice to Sunday. Eating jiaozi has become the winter solstice custom of most northerners 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.