Winter Solstice is the 22nd of the 24 solar terms. The character "至" for Solstice conveys the meaning of reaching an extreme. On this day, the sun's rays fall directly on the Tropic of Capricorn, the farthest south point the sun reaches all year, bringing the shortest day and the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. After the Winter Solstice, the days begin to grow longer, as the "yang energy" begins to awaken.

In Chinese culture, the Winter Solstice has always been of great importance. An old saying goes, "The Winter Solstice is as significant as the New Year," showing how this day was traditionally treated as a major celebration. In northern China, it is a long-standing tradition to eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice, a custom linked to Zhang Zhongjing, an esteemed physician of ancient China. According to legend, during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the cold weather was harsh. To help people combat the chill, Zhang simmered lamb and other warming ingredients into a rich broth, then wrapped the fillings in dough shaped like ears, cooking them before distributing them to the villagers. This not only helped ward off the cold but also treated frostbite on their ears. On the other hand, in the south, it is traditional to eat tangyuan, sweet glutinous rice balls. The round shape of the tangyuan represents unity, carrying the hopes for family harmony and a happy, fulfilling life.

On the Winter Solstice, a steaming bowl of food brings loved ones together. These ancient customs carry a deeper philosophy passed down through generations—a reflection of how the Chinese people embrace warmth, kinship, and the quiet wisdom of seasonal change.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Zhang Rui