Why do you eat mutton in the winter from Sichuan to Japan?

The custom of eating mutton from winter solstice in Sichuan originated from Zhang Zhongjing.

Zhang Zhongjing's soup for dispelling cold and charming ears has been regarded as a classic by doctors in past dynasties. He boiled mutton and some herbs for dispelling cold in a pot, then fished out the mutton and medicine, chopped them up, cooked them with bread to make ears like ears, and distributed them to everyone who came to ask for medicine, two ears and a big bowl of broth. After eating pepper and drinking Quhan soup, people are warm all over, their ears are hot, and their frostbitten ears are cured.

In winter, the yang of the human body is hidden in the body, so the body is prone to cold hands and feet and poor blood circulation. Chinese medicine believes that mutton is sweet but not greasy, warm but not dry, and has the effects of tonifying kidney and strengthening yang, warming middle warmer and dispelling cold, warming qi and blood, appetizing and invigorating spleen. So eating mutton in winter can not only keep out the cold, but also nourish the body.

Extended data:

There is also a saying that Sichuanese want to eat mutton on the solstice in winter, which is said to have started from the Han Dynasty. According to legend, Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han Dynasty, ate dog meat cooked by Fan Kuai on the solstice in winter, which was particularly delicious and full of praise.

Eating dog meat in winter has spread among the people since then, not only eating dog meat, but also eating mutton and various tonics. I hope there will be a good sign in the coming year. Later, dog meat gradually turned into mutton, and it is best to match Chinese medicine to dispel wind and prevent cold.

The custom of eating mutton soup from winter solstice is widely spread in Sichuan. On the solstice of winter, people eat mutton and various nourishing foods one after another in order to have a good omen for the coming year.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Winter Solstice (one of the 24 solar terms)