Why do Cantonese people attach so much importance to the winter solstice?

In the past, in Guangdong, Chinese New Year was a busy farming season, and farmers had to farm in the fields, but it was not the winter solstice, so there was a winter festival. The custom of winter festivals has been going on in many parts of our country. In the 1960s, Guangzhou residents called the winter solstice the Winter Festival. Even in three years of economic difficulties, every family must buy meat on this day, which is second only to New Year's Day.

Guangdong Pearl River Delta and eastern Guangdong attach importance to the winter solstice, especially in Chaoshan area. Because of the wish made at the beginning of the year, the weather has been good and the body is very healthy for a year. On this day, we should thank God for his return. Therefore, there is a saying that "Chinese New Year is celebrated in winter".

Extended data:

The winter solstice in Huizhou is called the Overwintering Festival, which is a very important festival. Before the winter solstice, a troupe will be invited to perform in the countryside to show that God is returning and thank God for his blessing. Every family will make radish strips and cups before the winter solstice, and everyone will eat sugar pills that morning, which means that life is sweet.

In the evening, the family will get together for dinner, round and round. As the Cantonese proverb says, the solstice of winter is the New Year, so it is very important. Winter solstice is one of the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar, and it is also a traditional festival of the Chinese nation. People who used to go out to work went home every winter to reunite with their families until Sunday, and it still does.

Eating jiaozi is also a traditional custom for Cantonese to celebrate the winter solstice. Tangyuan is made of glutinous rice flour, which means reunion. It is said that eating jiaozi is one year older, and it can also be used for ancestor worship. Tangyuan is an indispensable food for Cantonese people in winter solstice.