What are the customs of winter solstice?

The winter solstice is a very important solar term in China lunar calendar, and it is also a traditional festival. So far, many places still have the custom of winter solstice, so do you know what customs are there? If you don't know, take a look with me ~

The custom of winter solstice

1, eat jiaozi

Every year, during the winter solstice of the Lunar New Year, jiaozi is an indispensable holiday feast for both the rich and the poor. As the saying goes: "On October 1st, when the solstice of winter comes, every family eats jiaozi." This custom was left in memory of Zhang Zhongjing, a "medical sage", who gave up medicine from the winter solstice.

Step 2 drink mutton soup

Now in Tengzhou, Shandong Province, the solstice in winter is called Fujiu. Before the festival, the elders will be given mutton and other gifts, and every family in Fujiu will drink mutton soup, which is a good sign for individuals, elders and families.

Step 3 eat glutinous rice

In Jiangnan and Guangdong, there is a custom that the whole family get together to eat red beans and glutinous rice on the night of winter solstice, which is used to ward off evil spirits and prevent diseases.

4. Nine-layer cake for ancestor worship

In Taiwan Province Province, China, the tradition of offering nine-layer cakes to ancestors from winter to the sun is still preserved. Glutinous rice flour is used to knead animals such as chickens, ducks, turtles, pigs, cattle and sheep. , a symbol of good luck, and then put it in a steamer and steam it layer by layer to worship the ancestors to show that they don't forget their ancestors.

5. Eat glutinous rice balls

Rounding the field is an ancient tradition of Taizhou people in Zhejiang Province, also known as the "Winter Solstice Round". "Round" means "reunion", "perfection" and "mellow and smooth". Compared with jiaozi, the "winter solstice yen" is not only rich in content, but also far-reaching.

The origin of winter solstice festival

The Winter Solstice Festival originated in the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and has been passed down to this day. Lu even said that the winter solstice is as big as a year. This shows that the ancients attached great importance to the winter solstice. People think that the winter solstice is a natural transformation of Yin and Yang and a blessing from heaven. In the Han Dynasty, the winter solstice was the "Winter Festival", and the government held a congratulatory ceremony called "He Dong", which was a routine festival.

There is such a record in the Book of the Later Han Dynasty: "Before and after the winter solstice, a gentleman was prepared for danger in times of peace, refused to listen to politics, and chose an auspicious day to save trouble." So on this day, the imperial court had a holiday, the army was on standby, the frontier fortress was closed, the business trip was closed, relatives and friends sent meals to each other, visited each other, and had a "quiet" holiday happily.

In the Tang and Song Dynasties, the solstice in winter was the day of ancestor worship. On this day, the emperor went to the suburbs to hold a ceremony to worship heaven. On this day, people must worship their parents. There are still some places to celebrate the winter solstice.

The above is a brief introduction to the custom of winter solstice and the origin of winter solstice. Friends, what other customs do you know? Welcome to add, let's meet in the comment area ~