Dong Zhi Winter Solstice Festival, China

Dong Zhi Winter Solstice Festival, China

Dong Zhi - Winter Solstice Festival, China, started during the Han Dynasty. Regarded as the "Winter Festival," the Dong Zhi took the shape of an important event during that period. Today it is regarded as the second most important festivals of China. The Winter Solstice is observed on the longest night of the year - a day when the nation receives the least amount of sunshine and hence has the shortest daytime.

This is the time of family reunion, when often people get busy stocking food for the forthcoming winters. The Chinese believe that as the day becomes longer after the Winter Solstice, the Yang (positive things) will also become stronger. Therefore this particular day is given special attention with mass celebrations. People wear new clothes and exchange gifts with their near and dear ones. Family gatherings take place with night long parties. Everything remains closed on this day, from schools to offices and people are seen in celebration mood everywhere.

Dumpling soup is eaten in some parts of the Northern China on the Dong Zhi - Winter Solstice Festival. The people of the Southern China consumes food made of red-bean and glutinous rice. People also consume tangyuan, which is a small stuffed dumpling ball made of glutinous rice flour. Rice dumplings are often offered to friends and relatives as gifts on this day.

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