Which legend does the custom of eating jiaozi in winter come from?

The custom of eating jiaozi on the winter solstice originated from the legend of Nu Wa.

Solstice is an important festival in China traditional culture and one of the most important solar terms in China lunar calendar. On the solstice of winter, people have the custom of eating jiaozi. In Huaichuan area, eating jiaozi in winter solstice is related to Nu Wa's making people. Legend has it that in ancient winter, the clay figurine ears made by Nu Wa were often frozen off, so Nu Wa had to sew them back.

One day, after nuwa sewed a clay figurine's ear, she temporarily put the remaining thread into the clay figurine's mouth and took a bite. She turned to look for scissors. When she came back with scissors, she had a good idea. She tied the two ends of the thread to the clay figurine's ears and mouth respectively, so that the clay figurine's ears would not be frozen off. Later, on the winter solstice, people were afraid of freezing their ears and tied them with thread.

Folk custom significance

Because jiaozi is shaped like an ear, people gradually turn biting thread into eating jiaozi. The winter solstice is the earliest and shortest day among the traditional 24 solar terms in China, and the arrival of the winter solstice solar terms also means entering a cold winter. Jiaozi is a traditional food in the north, which has the effect of keeping out the cold and keeping warm.

Therefore, eating jiaozi in the winter solstice can symbolize the arrival of the winter solstice solar terms and welcome the cold winter. Jiaozi is a traditional family food, which is usually made and shared by family members. On the solstice of winter, the whole family get together to wrap jiaozi and enjoy this traditional festival. This harmonious atmosphere of family reunion also symbolizes family unity and happiness.