Beijing, 21 December 2021 (TDI): China celebrated the traditional Dongzhi Festival to mark Winter Solstice, today. Dongzhi is a momentous festival for Chinese people. An old Chinese saying proclaims that ‘Dongzhi is more important than the Chinese Lunar New Year’.
People across the country celebrate the festival with fervor. Many Chinese officials shared the celebrations through their Twitter accounts. Hua Chunying, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, and Director General, Information Department at the Foreign Ministry of China shared about Dongzhi festivities.
#Dumplings are for “Dongzhi”, or the Winter Solstice, one of Chinese traditional solar terms marking the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
These children pass on the tradition by learning to make colorful & lovely dumplings on this special occasion. pic.twitter.com/8Hg1iyyhJz— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) December 21, 2021
Dongzhi is a Chinese word that literally means the arrival of winter. Whilst the Winter Solstice is the solstice that commemorates the commencement of winter. It has the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
The Winter Solstice Festival was very important in past imperial eras as well. On the day of the Dongzhi Festival, families gather together to visit ancestral tombs, worship their ancestors, and eat a special meal.
According to traditional Chinese concepts, winter is the time of year to relax, rest, and nourish the body with high yang foods. The Chinese believe in perseverance and rejuvenation during the winter. Ergo, they consume meals that contain high yang herbs to relax the nerves and alleviate stress.
History of the Dongzhi Festival
The Dongzhi Festival was celebrated during the Spring and Autumn Period. The festival gained significance during the reign of the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). Furthermore, it was also vital during the Tang Dynasty as well as the Song Dynasty.
Northern China Customs and Food for Dongzhi Festival
Historically, people in northern China lacked sufficient warm clothing and adequate heating. So to survive the bitter cold, people drank hot liquids and ate hot food to stay warm.
It was generally believed amongst the people that the shorter days had insufficient Yang energy. Therefore, according to Chinese medicinal cuisine principles, they tried to eat high Yang foods.
In northern China, hot fatty dumplings are a staple to celebrate the festival. The dumplings contain high Yang warming herbs like garlic and ginger as well as meat.
This helped the people to stave off diseases and illnesses along with staying warm in the past as well. Moreover, it allowed them to acclimate to the cold and darkest days of the year.
It is a custom to eat piping hot dumplings with family or friends and eat food with special Yang spices and herbs and spices.
Southern China Customs and Food for Dongzhi Festival
Natives of southern China gather together to cook and eat a meal of Tangyuan, which symbolizes family unity and prosperity. Tangyuan are specially cooked pink or white colored balls of rice.
They might have a filling of meat or bean/peanut paste with sweet Yang herbs. They are served in a bowl with a sweet broth or soup. Southern Chinese might also drink mild rice wine with cassia oil, with their Tangyuan. Cassia is a high Yang herb and is favored in China.
