The origin and customs of the winter solstice: different traditional customs in the north and south.

Winter solstice, one of the eight seasons, is considered to be a big holiday in winter. It has both natural connotation and humanistic connotation. It is not only an important solar term among the 24 solar terms, but also a traditional ancestor worship festival in China. So what is the origin of the winter solstice? What are the different customs of winter solstice in northern and southern China? Interested friends may wish to have a look with us.

The origin of winter solstice

The winter solstice is the 22nd solar term in the "twenty-four solar terms", which lasts from June 5438+February 2 1 to 23rd every year. When the sun meridian reaches 270 degrees, it is also the extreme value of direct sunlight to the south. The winter solstice can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty. Duke Zhou chose the day with the longest shadow between China and Japan as the beginning of the new year. The first month of the week calendar is 1 1 month of the summer calendar. In the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty used the summer calendar to separate the first month from the winter solstice, and has been celebrating the winter solstice ever since.

Winter Solstice Customs in Southern China

The solstice in winter usually means auspiciousness and reunion. In the south, every household cooks a steaming, sweet and delicious dumpling every winter solstice. Eating this bowl of glutinous rice balls means growing up for a year. In addition to glutinous rice balls, some areas also have the custom of eating beef and mutton, and some cold-dispelling herbs are stewed together, which can enhance physical fitness and resist the cold in winter. In the south, there is also the custom of offering sacrifices to ancestors during the winter solstice. From the day of winter solstice, wanderers will return to their hometown one after another, prepare some food and sacrifices, pay homage to their ancestors and express their respect and nostalgia for them. In the southeast coastal areas, there is a custom of praying for the winter solstice, praying for good weather, family harmony and prosperity in the coming year.

The custom of winter solstice in the north

Jiaozi is an indispensable food for northerners to celebrate the winter solstice. On this day, no matter whether you are rich or poor, a delicious and meaningful jiaozi is a must-have holiday meal for every household. Legend has it that jiaozi was invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a medical sage in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In order to treat people who are hungry and cold, he made soup with herbs, beef and dough, which is the prototype of jiaozi. People eat jiaozi on the solstice in winter, not only to commemorate their ancestors, but also to keep out the cold and thaw. In addition to jiaozi, wonton is also a traditional food for northerners in winter solstice. Wonton was originally used for sacrifice, and can only be eaten after the sacrifice. Some ancient people thought that eating wonton in winter solstice was to break the yin, release the yang and support the growth of the yang between heaven and earth.