Winter Solstice in Chinese Culture

The winter solstice or Dōngzhì 冬至 holds great importance in both Chinese culture and Chinese Medicine. Dongzhi literally means 'Winter's Arrival'. It is usually celebrated on December 20th or 21st, when the day is the shortest and the night the longest in the northern hemisphere, a fact known since 2500 BCE when the first sundials were used in China. The winter solstice is commonly known as the "Winter Festival" and “Festival of Extreme length” (as the sun’s extreme position lengthens shadows), and since ancient times was regarded as a major festival on par with the lunar New Year.

The ancients believed that the winter solstice was part of the natural cycle of Yin and Yang: the day when Yin reaches its peak, and the Yang begins to ascend from its lowest point. It was observed that the winter solstice occurred when the climate in all places entered the coldest stage, often called "entering the Nines", which was used as a way to measure the lengthening days until spring. During the winter solstice, people focused on being in harmony with the cycle of nature--a time of extreme Yin when animals hibernate, and plants die or die back to conserve energy. For people, it was the time to eat warming, Yang foods such as mutton and gingerroot, and to get more rest to conserve energy and build Yang Qi in anticipation of the eventual spring.

Ancient & Modern Customs

Given its long history and importance among the traditional festivals of China, Dongzhi has certain notable customs that we can adopt today.

Worshipping Heaven and Ancestors

Although celebrated since ancient times, Dongzhi became an imperially recognized festival during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE).

Beginning in the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) the emperor would go to the capital outskirts to offer sacrifices to Heaven (and in fact the famous Temple of Heaven in Beijing was built for this specific purpose), government officials returned to their home provinces to worship Heaven and their illustrious ancestors. and regular folk would worship their parents and elders.

Today, while most no longer worship Heaven, many will still honor ancestors with prayers, incense, and food offerings. In some parts of eastern China, people take food and incense to their ancestors' tombs, sweep the graves, and pay their respects. In other places, people with the same surname or from the same clan will gather at their ancestral temple to worship together.

An alternative activity you can enjoy is flipping through old photo albums (or your phone) to reminisce and reflect on your family origins and appreciate the fact that you even exist!

Family Gatherings

For most people, getting together with family to enjoy seasonal foods on this day is of supreme importance. Traditionally it was believed that a family meal shared on the winter solstice would ensure everyone’s survival during the coming colder months.

Sharing a warm meal with family (and friends count as family) with no obligations or expectations of gifts may be the best way to celebrate the season!

Counting the Nines of Winter

Counting the Nines or shǔjiǔ 數九is an ancient tradition that begins at winter solstice. Counting the Nines involves counting down nine nine-day periods with a specific folk song that charts the changes in the weather and natural world leading to the arrival of spring. It is thought that counting the Nines helped people track the passage of time and provided hope. At one point, most people were farmers, and this helped them to know when to start agricultural activities too.

Community Activities

Particularly in agricultural communities, Dongzhi is celebrated with communal festivities such as performances and fairs. Take in a show or go check out a local craft fair!

Focus on Health and Well-being

Taking a break from work, practicing mindfulness, and getting lots of rest are top priorities. We might also use this time to seriously assess our health with checkups, overdue tests and catching up on routine care like teeth cleaning! Engaging in Qi Gong and other low-impact exercises are also a great way to improve circulation during the indoor months.

And finally…Food!

Eating warm foods such as ginger, garlic, and lamb, and drinking tonifying soups are definitely called for this season. Different regions in China also have their own special celebratory foods that can be readily made (or ordered!) here in the U.S.

Tangyuan (Southern China)

In China’s rice-growing southern areas, tāngyuán 湯圓--maybe more familiar as mochi in the west, are glutinous rice balls usually filled with sweet fillings like sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanut butter and served in a sweet soup, often spiced up with ginger. Sometimes Tangyuan are filled with meat and sweet Yang herbs such as Huang jing/Polyganatum sibiricum in a savory broth. Being round, tangyuan symbolizes family unity and prosperity and dates to the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE).

Traditionally, a meal of tangyuan is accompanied by Sweet osmanthus wine (actually a liquor, or baijiu), ostensibly to soothe the Liver and move Qi, move the Blood and warm the menses, and benefit the Kidney, but who needs an excuse? Sweet osmanthus flowers themselves are medicinal, and warm the Stomach, soothe the Liver and dispel Cold and can also be added to tea leaves.

Huntun/Wonton Soup (Eastern China)

Wonton soup is a must-eat food for the Dongzhi festival in parts of eastern China, especially in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. Wonton in the U.S. tend to have a pork filling but can also be stuffed with other kinds of meats and vegetables.

And here’s its origin story: according to legend, during the Han Dynasty, the northern Xiongnu tribes, or Huns, often harassed the Chinese people who lived along the border. Two Xiongnu leaders named Hun and Tun were known to be especially cruel. The Chinese hated them so much that they took out their frustrations by furiously chopping meat into tiny bits, stuffing the ground meat into a dough wrapper and boiling them. They named them “húntún” 餛飩(anglicized into “wonton”) and got back at their oppressors by symbolically eating them! To disguise this subversive activity, every household made and ate huntun on the winter solstice as a holiday food.