Winter solstice

Dongzhi, or winter solstice, is the 22nd of the 24 solar terms on the traditional Chinese calendar. It falls on December 21 this year. It marks the point when yin reaches its peak, followed by the "birth of yang" as the Northern Hemisphere witnesses its shortest day and the longest night. Revered as the "Minor New Year" by the ancients, some regard this occasion as equally significant to the Spring Festival. On this day, people pray for blessings and arrange family reunions. Northern Chinese make dumplings to fend off the cold, while those in the south savor glutinous rice balls to celebrate harmony. These culinary customs embody heartfelt wishes for peace and tranquility, nurturing the hope of spring in the depths of winter.