Why do we eat dumplings during the Winter Solstice?

Eating dumplings during the Winter Solstice is a Han custom.

Popular in most parts of the north, it refers to the custom of eating dumplings or wontons during the Winter Solstice. Pan Rongbi (Qing Dynasty) "Records of the Years in the Imperial Capital": "The day is predicted to be winter night, and in addition to offering soup and rice to the ancestors, they also wrap horns with thin meat stuffing as offerings. This is the legacy of the so-called 'Winter Solstice Wonton and Summer Solstice Noodles'." ”

As the saying goes: “Dumplings for winter solstice, noodles for summer solstice”. In most parts of the northern part of the country, dumplings or wontons are eaten on this day. Some even drink. It is said that they drink to warm themselves up and eat dumplings to avoid losing their ears from freezing. So how can eating dumplings on the Winter Solstice not only protect you from the cold but also keep you healthy? This depends on the different fillings of dumplings.

Winter Solstice, commonly known as "Winter Festival", is an important solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar. On this day, because the sun shines directly on the Tropic of Capricorn, the day is the shortest and the night is the longest in the Northern Hemisphere. After the winter solstice, the days in the Northern Hemisphere will become longer day by day and the nights will gradually become shorter. In ancient times, Chinese people had a saying that "the yin pole arrives, yang energy begins to grow, the sun reaches the south, the sun is short, and the shadow of the sun is long, so it is called the winter solstice." In "Qing Jia Lu", there is also "Winter Solstice" The saying "as big as the year" shows that the ancients attached great importance to the winter solstice. In the land of China, rich and colorful winter solstice food customs have been handed down.

The winter solstice is a great time to maintain health, mainly because "qi begins at the winter solstice." Because starting from winter, life activities begin to change from prosperity to decline, from movement to stillness. At this time, scientific health maintenance can help ensure strong energy, prevent premature aging, and achieve the purpose of prolonging life. ?The diet during the winter solstice should be diverse, with a reasonable mix of grains, fruits, meats, and vegetables, and an appropriate selection of high-calcium foods. Food should be light and heavy, fatty and salty foods should not be eaten. In winter, Yang Qi is declining, and the spleen likes warmth and hates cold, so it is advisable to eat warm foods to protect the spleen and kidneys. It is advisable to eat small amounts and frequent meals. We should pay attention to "three more and three less", that is, more protein, vitamins, and fiber, and less sugar, fat, and salt.

The origin and legend of the Winter Solstice Festival

The Winter Solstice Festival originated in the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and is still used today. "Qing Jia Lu" even said that "the winter solstice is as big as the New Year". This shows that the ancients attached great importance to the winter solstice. People believe that the winter solstice is the natural transformation of yin and yang and is a blessing from God. In the Han Dynasty, the Winter Solstice was regarded as the "Winter Festival", and the government would hold a congratulatory ceremony called "Hedong" and have a routine holiday. There is such a record in "Book of the Later Han Dynasty": "Before and after the winter solstice, a gentleman settles down, keeps all officials in charge, does not listen to the government, and chooses auspicious times to save trouble." Therefore, on this day, the court has a holiday and rest, the army is on standby, the border fortress is in retreat, and the business travel is closed. , relatives and friends each give each other delicious food, visit each other, and happily spend a "settle and quiet" festival.

During the Tang and Song Dynasties, the winter solstice was a day for worshiping heaven and ancestors. On this day, the emperor would go to the countryside to hold a ceremony to worship heaven. On this day, people would worship their parents and elders. There are still some places where this day is held. Celebrating the winter solstice.

Carrot and mutton stuffing

Carrots are warm in nature and have always been known as "little ginseng". "Compendium of Materia Medica" records that it can be adjusted to replenish the middle burner, harmonize the stomach and intestines, and calm the five internal organs. Modern research It has also been found that it can provide nutrients that resist heart disease, high blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis, and can also help the liver metabolize alcohol. Mutton nourishes qi and blood, warms the middle and warms the kidneys. This dumpling is suitable for the elderly with insufficient qi and blood, soreness in waist and knees, and frequent urination; it is more suitable for people with weak spleen and stomach, and girls with cold menstruation and dysmenorrhea. In addition, because carrots can also soften the skin, enhance skin resistance, and have beautifying effects, they are also a veritable beauty and anti-aging delicacy.

Everyone must be familiar with the term "winter depression" of onion and beef stuffing; in addition, many women often feel cold hands and feet in winter, and have some small acne on their faces that are not red or swollen. smallpox. If this happens to you, try the onion and beef dumplings. Because onions can strengthen the stomach and digestion, calm the liver, moisten the intestines, diuresis, and induce sweating. Beef is warm in nature, nourishes the spleen and stomach, replenishes qi and blood, strengthens muscles and bones, and can invigorate people.

White radish, pork and black fungus stuffing

White radish smoothes qi, strengthens the spleen, digests food and resolves phlegm. Pork has a neutral nature and can replenish deficiency and increase qi. "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that it can replenish kidney qi in patients with kidney failure. Black fungus has a neutral nature, can replenish qi and blood, benefit the kidneys, and relieve constipation. Modern research has found that it can lower cholesterol and blood viscosity. This dumpling is very suitable for people who usually suffer from kidney deficiency; and for healthy people, it is in line with the health regimen of nourishing and nourishing the kidneys in winter. In addition, patients with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or those who dare not eat pork for fear of gaining weight, can eat dumplings stuffed with white radish, pork, and black fungus to satisfy their cravings. If there are students or high-intensity mental workers at home, you can also add some black sesame seeds to this, which can not only nourish the kidneys and brain, but also prevent greasiness.