Happy Dongzhi Festival! 🌕

#SeasonGreetings

冬至 = Dongzhi, 汤圆 = glutinous rice balls

In Chinese, the word "Dong" (冬) means "winter" while "Zhi" (至) means "arrival" giving the literal meaning of the festival "the coming of winter". 

The Dongzhi Festival or Winter Solstice Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated during the Dongzhi solar term (winter solstice), which falls between December 21 and December 23.

The most well-known traditions around Dongzhi consist of the popular dishes consumed at that time. Generally, Northerners eat dumplings, and Southerners enjoy tang yuan (汤圆 - glutinous rice balls—also sometimes called glutinous rice dumplings—both sweet and savory). 

Eating Tang yuan (汤圆) is a cherished tradition in Chinese culture, especially during Winter Solstice. Here's why: Tang yuan (汤圆) sounds like Tuan yuan (团圆 - reunion) in mandarin. The round shape of Tang yuan represents unity and completeness, symbolising family togetherness and harmon.

The Dongzhi Festival originated over 2,500 years ago, formalized during China's Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), marking the shortest day as a pivotal turning point where light and positive yang energy (阳气) begin to return, symbolizing renewal and family reunion, with traditions like eating dumplings in the north and Tang yuan in the south to represent completeness and honor ancestors. 

Chinese people have worshipped heaven on Dongzhi Day since the Han Dynasty, China. Many temples were built for this reason, including the famous Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. It was believed that heaven worship would bring a great harvest and good health for the coming year.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongzhi_Festival