Written by: Amna Naseem
Posted on: December 21, 2021 | 
| 中文
Children make dumplings to celebrate the Dongzhi Festival. (Credits to Xinhua)
China is well-known for its breathtaking and well-preserved traditions and civilization. The country takes great pride in observing these celebrations with zeal. Most Chinese cultural festivals have their long-standing customs, some of which are dependent on the seasons. The Dongzhi Festival, which takes place on the Winter Solstice, is a one-of-a-kind event. The name Dongzhi (Mandarin:) signifies 'Winter's Arrival.' The Dongzhi Festival was once considered as significant as the Chinese New Year.
People from different cultures celebrate the Dongzhi Festival
The origin of this one-day festival can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD). The lunar calendar was followed back in the days in China, so the cultural importance of seasons was uncontested. The historical importance of the Dongzhi festival is that it is celebrated on the shortest day of the northern hemisphere, which often falls on either 21st, 22nd, or the 23rd of December every year. The concept behind the celebration of this festivity is to remember the harmony and balance in the cosmos, and also to honor the Yin and Yang philosophy. It is a common belief that the celebration of the Dongzhi festival is to appreciate the returning of the longer daylight i.e., spring season with flowing positive energy.
Traditional celebrations during the Dongzhi Festival
This celebration dates back roughly 2,500 years in China. Some age-old traditions of this day include worshipping Heaven and one's ancestors and counting the nines of the winter season. Every year, people gather in the temple of Heaven in Beijing to offer their prayers. Some of the other countries where the Dongzhi festival is celebrated are Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. Every country has its distinctive name and tradition of celebrating the longest night of the year.
The celebrants enjoy the festival in their unique ways while engaging in different types of traditional activities. People mostly spend this day with their families, while others arrange get-togethers with friends. Chinese people (especially in the southern parts of China, and Chinese communities all around the world) prepare a special food item for this day, known as Tangyuan.
Tangyuan are prepared by the Chinese families during the Dongzhi Festival celebrations
Tangyuan is prepared with glutinous rice flour which is often colored in bright hues of green or pink, symbolizing reunion. It is eaten and gifted to other people as well. As per tradition, each family member gets one large Tangyuan along with several other small ones. These glutinous rice balls are cooked in a sweet broth and are served with rice wine. Rice cake is often eaten and shared with family and friends in southern China as a sign of reunion and blessing. Mutton soup and red bean sticky rice are also popular dishes served during this occasion in South China.
Mutton soup
Since food is an important aspect of this festival, it varies according to the location. People in northern China have their special ways of celebrating the winter solstice festival. The popular culinary item in the upper regions of China is Dumplings. The tradition of eating dumplings on the occasion of the Dongzhi Festival is said to have originated during the Han Dynasty.
Dumplings (Known as Mantu or Mamtu in the Northern Pakistan) ready to eat.
Historians mention that Zhang Zhongjing (a prominent pharmacologist and physician of the Han Dynasty) distributed dumplings among the poor to keep them warm.
Children learning how to make traditional dishes during the Dongzhi Festival. (Credits to Xinhua)
Wontons, which are popular in Suzhou, and Mutton, which is popular in Shandong and Ningxia, are some additional popular culinary items eaten by celebrants from various locations. During the celebration, Xiamen residents enjoy duck and ginger. The celebrants also consume Eight Treasure Porridge, Daikon, and sometimes hot pot.
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