Each year, Dongzhi marks the winter solstice — the shortest day and longest night of the year — in China. It’s a significant event in Chinese culture that brings families together to celebrate and honor their ancestors. On December 21st, many Chinese communities will come together to share good food, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional Chinese music. If you’re looking for ways to join in on this special occasion or just curious about what it’s all about, read on for a guide to celebrating Dongzhi!
What is Dongzhi?
Dongzhi, or the Winter Solstice, is a traditional Chinese festival that celebrates the yin and yang of the universe. It is also a time to give thanks for the harvest, and to prepare for the cold winter ahead.
Dongzhi occurs on December 21st or 22nd in the Gregorian calendar, and is a time when family members gather together to eat special foods and share stories. In China, it is also a day to honor one’s ancestors.
There are many traditions associated with Dongzhi, but one of the most popular is eating tangyuan. Tangyuan are glutinous rice balls filled with sweet bean paste or other fillings. They are often served in soup, and symbolize unity and togetherness.
Other popular activities during Dongzhi include making dumplings, playing games, and lighting fires. For many people, Dongzhi is a time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends.
The meaning of Dongzhi
Dongzhi is a Chinese festival that occurs on the winter solstice. It celebrates the yin and yang coming into balance and symbolizes the beginning of lengthening days and shorter nights. Families get together to enjoy reunion meals and make sticky rice balls, which are traditionally eaten during this holiday. Dongzhi is also a time for self-reflection and renewal, when people take stock of their lives and set goals for the coming year.
The history of Dongzhi
Dongzhi is a winter solstice festival that originated in China. The festival was originally a time to celebrate the yin and yang of the cosmos, and to pray for a good harvest. In more recent times, it has become a time for family reunion and feasting.
Dongzhi has its origins in the yin and yang of the cosmos. The Chinese character for dong (冬) means “winter”, while zhi (至) means “arrive”. Thus, Dongzhi signifies the arrival of winter. In ancient times, the winter solstice was a time to celebrate the yin and yang of the cosmos. It was also a time to pray for a good harvest.
In more recent times, Dongzhi has become a time for family reunion and feasting. Families gather together to enjoy traditional dishes such as glutinous rice balls (汤圆), dumplings (水饺), and noodles (面条). The feast usually lasts for several hours, and is followed by games and other activities.
How is Dongzhi celebrated?
Dongzhi is celebrated on the winter solstice, which falls on December 21st or 22nd in the Gregorian calendar. On this day, families gather to enjoy a traditional meal and spend time together.
Dumplings are a must-have dish on Dongzhi, as they represent unity and family. Other popular dishes include tofu soup, sticky rice balls, and longevity noodles.
After the meal, people often go outside to stargaze and appreciate the beauty of nature. Some may also visit their local temple to pray for good fortune in the coming year.
What foods are traditionally eaten during Dongzhi?
Dongzhi, which falls on the 22nd or 23rd day of the 12th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, is a winter solstice festival that is celebrated by the Hokkiens. It is also known as Tết Trung Thu in Vietnam.
Families reunion dinner is an important part of Dongzhi. The dinner usually consists of eight dishes and one soup. The eight dishes represent the eight Taoist Immortals – Lu Dongbin, Zhongli Quan, Cao Guojiu, Li Tieguai, Han Xiangzi, Lan Caihe, He Xiangu and Zhang Guolao. Each dish has a special meaning and signifies good luck for the new year.
The most common dish served during Dongzhi is tangyuan (湯圓), which are glutinous rice balls cooked in sweet ginger soup. The round shape of the tangyuan symbolises unity and togetherness while the sweet soup represents sweetness in life. Other popular dishes includeminced meat balls (羊肉丸), small dumplings filled with chicken or pork (餃子), braised mushrooms (燴菌), roasted chestnuts (烤栗子) and roasted peanuts (烤花生).
DONGZHI DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | December 21 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | December 22 | Friday |
| 2024 | December 21 | Saturday |
| 2025 | December 21 | Sunday |
| 2026 | December 21 | Monday |
Conclusion
Dongzhi is a special event that commemorates the winter solstice. Celebrated with family gatherings and traditional food, Dongzhi marks the passing of winter and brings the hope of brighter days ahead. With its significance rooted in Chinese culture, this festival has been observed for centuries, providing an opportunity to strengthen familial ties and appreciate what we have in life. So take time on December 21 to celebrate both past memories and new beginnings – it’s just another reminder of how special Dongzhi is!
| DATE | EVENT |
| DEC 21 | National Coquito Day |
| DEC 21 | National Short Girl Appreciation Day |
| DEC 21 | Winter Solstice |
| DEC 21 | Blue Christmas |
| DEC 21 | December Solstice |
| DEC 21 | Dongzhi |
| DEC 21 | Humbug Day |
| DEC 21 | Look on the Bright Side Day |
| DEC 21 | National Armagnac Day |
| DEC 21 | National Crossword Puzzle Day |
| DEC 21 | National Flashlight Day |
| DEC 21 | National French Fried Shrimp Day |
| DEC 21 | National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day |
| DEC 21 | National Lee Day |
| DEC 21 | National Maine Day |
| DEC 21 | São Tomé Day |
| DEC 21 | World Snowboard Day |
| DEC 21 | Yule |
