1, the date of winter solstice

Winter solstice is one of the 24 solar terms, usually between 65438+February 2 1-23 in Gregorian calendar every year. On this day, the sun shines directly on the tropic of Capricorn, which is the shortest day and the longest night in the northern hemisphere. In the traditional culture of China, the winter solstice is an important solar term with rich cultural connotations and historical origins.

2. The significance of winter solstice

The word "to" has the ultimate meaning in the winter solstice. One yang begins to produce deep yin, and the yang is extremely cold. The winter solstice solar term is the first of the nine cold, and it is also the season with the weakest human yang. Chinese medicine believes that this is a good time for health preservation, especially for three or nine days. People can strengthen their physique and resist the cold by tonic and other means.

The solstice in winter is the turning point of Yin and Yang all the year round, and it is also an important moment for the exchange of Yin and Yang and qi and blood. At this time, people should pay attention to health care, reconcile yin and yang, and balance qi and blood to maintain good health.

The solstice in winter is also an important time for family reunion. People usually hold activities such as ancestor worship and reunion dinner on this day to express their memory and respect for their ancestors and relatives. This traditional custom not only helps to promote filial piety, but also promotes family harmony and social harmony.

The custom of winter solstice

1, ancestor worship

On the solstice of winter, many families will worship their ancestors to show their memory and respect. People will put incense tables, food and wine, candles and incense at home to show filial piety.

Step 2 eat glutinous rice balls

In the south of China, there is a custom of eating glutinous rice balls on the solstice in winter. Tangyuan symbolizes reunion and happiness, and also means "adding years". People will eat glutinous rice balls on the solstice in winter to pray for family reunion and happiness.

3, tonic

The solstice in winter is a good time to keep fit. People can strengthen their physique and resist the cold through tonic. Common tonic foods are mutton, dog meat, red dates, longan and so on. These foods help to replenish qi and blood, warm yang and dispel cold.

4. Nine-Nine Cold Relief Map

The solstice of winter is still the beginning of nine, and people will kill the cold winter by drawing a picture to eliminate the cold in nine. The cold relief map of "99-99" is usually a plum blossom map. People write a word on each petal and draw a petal every day. After painting, it just entered the season of warm spring in bloom. This custom not only helps to kill time and increase the interest of life, but also has the meaning of "counting nine".