Beginning of Winter

The Beginning of Winter, the 19th of the 24 solar terms and the first of winter, usually falls on November 7 or 8 in the Gregorian calendar – this year on November 7. In China, the cold air across the land gradually intensifies. It is a folk custom to eat dumplings during this time, as they symbolize good fortune. People also gather around a stove to simmer tea, enjoy a mutton hot pot, cook glutinous rice balls and brew warm yellow wine. This practice, known as "nourishing the body for winter," involves consuming nourishing foods to store energy and fend off the cold. As nature enters a state of rest and conservation, people likewise adjust their daily routines to prepare for the winter months.