The Winter Solstice marks the southernmost point of the sun's direct rays.
On the Winter Solstice, the sun's rays are directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn.
The sun's rays are most oblique to the Northern Hemisphere.
The sun's altitude angle is at its minimum.
It is the day with the shortest daylight and the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere.
Origin of the Winter Solstice:
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The Winter Solstice is also known as "the southernmost point of the sun's journey," reflecting the movement of the sun's direct rays. On this day, the sun reaches its southernmost point, with its rays directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn. From this day onwards, the sun's direct rays begin to move northward. The Winter Solstice is the turning point of the sun's journey south and back north. The Winter Solstice is considered an auspicious day, as stated in the *Book of Han*: "On the Winter Solstice, the yang energy rises, and the emperor's power grows, therefore it is celebrated." After the Winter Solstice, the daylight hours become longer each day, and the sun rises higher, marking the beginning of a cycle of the sun's direct rays returning north, which should be celebrated.
Traditional Winter Solstice Customs:
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Eating Dumplings
In many regions of northern China, it is customary to eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice. People in northern China eat dumplings on this day because dumplings are believed to "ward off the cold." A folk proverb still circulates today: "If you don't eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice, your ears will freeze off and no one will care."
Eating Tangyuan (Sweet Rice Balls)
Eating tangyuan is a traditional custom of the Winter Solstice, especially prevalent in the Jiangnan region. Tangyuan are an essential food for the Winter Solstice; the word "yuan" means "reunion" and "completeness." Eating tangyuan on the Winter Solstice is also called "Winter Solstice Balls." There is a folk saying, "Eating tangyuan makes you one year older."
Winter Solstice Health Preservation:
After the Winter Solstice, the climate in various parts of China enters its coldest stage. People should add clothes promptly according to the weather, paying attention to keeping warm; ventilate and air out indoor spaces to reduce and inhibit the reproduction of germs and viruses; eat more nourishing foods; and engage in appropriate exercise.
During the "three nine-day periods" after the Winter Solstice, the weather is cold, and the body's yang energy is just beginning to develop and is relatively weak. Health preservation should focus on regulating the body's balance and adapting to nature. Therefore, it is important to avoid the cold, engage in appropriate exercise, get plenty of rest, and maintain a calm state of mind, so as to nurture the newly emerging, weak Yang energy within the body and allow it to grow and flourish in the future.
