Editor’s note:
Winter solstice, or “Dongzhi” in Chinese, is the 22nd solar term of a year when the daytime is shortest and the nighttime is longest. This year, it falls on December 21st.
About the winter solstice
It is considered the first solar term to be determined in Chinese history. On that day, the daytime is the shortest and the nighttime is the longest. In addition, it is a nice occasion for family reunion. As an old saying goes, “Winter Solstice is as significant as the Spring Festival.” That's why Winter Solstice has another name called “Yasui”, which is only less significant than the Spring Festival. Parents often tell their children that after eating the glutinous rice dumplings, or "tangyuan," they will grow older.
In ancient times, the rulers of different dynasties would worship the heaven, wishing for good fortune and avoiding catastrophes. For ordinary families, members far away from home would return, and the entire family would worship their ancestors as sons and daughters extend holiday greetings to their parents.
Winter food
“Food is the paramount necessity of the people.” On this important occasion, what to eat is deemed extremely important.
A symbolic dish is always offered to celebrate Winter Solstice. People from different regions may differ in their choices between dumplings and tangyuan.
As a proverb says, "In the eleventh month, Winter Solstice comes, and every family eats dumplings.” In most parts of northern China, people have the tradition of eating dumplings, which is said to commemorate the medicine sage Zhang Zhongjing (A.D. 150-219), who invented dumplings and sent them along with medical soup free to people who suffered from hunger and illness in winter. Today, every canteen provides free dumplings and tangyuan during breakfast time(6:30-8:30) for SEUers, offering special love this winter.
In southern China, especially in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region, people love eating tangyuan. There is a poem saying, “when every household mash glutinous rice to make tangyuan, we know that Winter Solstice has come.”
In the morning on that day, southerners get up early to make the fire to cook tangyuan. They offer cooked tangyuan as sacrifices to their ancestors first, and sit around the table together to eat tangyuan, waiting for the sun to rise. A ceremony signifies both family reunion and an expectation for daytime to grow longer.
Winter exercise
After the Winter Solstice, the weather becomes colder, even the most dedicated exercise enthusiast can have a hard time in winter. Cold days and long nights make it harder to get out of the quit, let alone moving the body, but there are several ways to get motivated. Firstly, seek out an exercise partner or group. Exercise partners can also provide social support, camaraderie and distraction from bad weather. There’s the additional benefit of making friends and hanging out with like-minded people. Secondly, diets are essential to keeping your health up and if you haven’t seen a doctor for a checkup in a while, please do. Thirdly, make sure that you have the appropriate outfit and equipment.
On December 19th, SEU held the “Welcome the new year” long-distance running, encouraging students to keep exercising and stay healthy.
Ending:
As the coldest days come, people may easily catch a cold or feel sick. It is recommended that regular schedules should be maintained, and a little bit of exercise won’t hurt either. But coldness is not frightening - after all, the spring isn't too far away.
Partial contents are sourced from CGTN
Written by Shu Yuan
Proofread by Melody Zhang
Edited by Sun Sukai
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