The winter solstice is one of the important traditional festivals in China and the first of the 24 solar terms. It usually marks the official start of winter in the northern hemisphere on February 20 or 22, that is, 65438+265438, when the sun reaches 270 degrees of the yellow meridian. On the solstice in winter, the days are the shortest and the nights are the longest. The direct sunlight is located on the tropic of Capricorn, and the northern hemisphere begins to enter the cold winter.

Winter solstice has a long history and rich cultural connotation in China. In ancient times, the winter solstice was regarded as an important solar term, and people would hold various celebrations to welcome the arrival of winter. One of the most famous traditional customs is eating glutinous rice balls. Tangyuan is a round food made of glutinous rice flour, which symbolizes reunion and integrity. People believe that eating glutinous rice balls can bring good luck and happiness. In addition, the winter solstice is also a sacrifice day in some places. People will worship their ancestors and gods and pray for a bumper harvest and peace in the coming year.

The following pictures are related to the winter solstice, showing that people eat glutinous rice balls from winter solstice to Sunday:

As an important solar term, the winter solstice not only has a profound cultural heritage in China, but also has similar celebrations in other East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea. On this day, people will get together to celebrate the arrival of winter and pray for happiness and reunion in the coming year.

I hope this answer will help you understand the winter solstice. I wish you a warm and pleasant winter on the solstice!