The Winter Solstice Festival or the Dongzhi Festival which literally means the ‘extreme of winter’ is a significant event that is celebrated especially by the Chinese and also by East Asians. This festival takes place when the sunlight is very weak and the daylight stays for a very short period during the winter solstice. This generally occurs around the 22nd of December. The birth of this festivity goes back to the yin and yang philosophy known as the ‘balance and harmony in the cosmos’. Miraculously after this celebration the coming days will have much longer daytime and the sun gets stronger, bringing in positive forces.
This is a time where most of the Chinese families get together. When these get-togethers happen it is a tradition for the family members to eat ‘tangyuan’ which is a gooey rice ball which signifies reunion. These rice balls are sometimes brightly coloured and made of flour; they are stuffed and cooked in sweet syrup and served in a bowl. In North China, the Chinese people simply eat dumplings on this day. This ritual is said to have derived from Zhan Zhonging during the Hang Dynasty.
The ancient traditions also involve people holding the same surname or who belong to the similar clan, congregating in their familial temples. After the sacrificial service, there is always a gala reunion feast. The delectable food reminds the people that they are one year older than they were and that they should behave and conduct themselves properly in the coming year as well.
Even at present many Chinese persevere to ‘a year older’ reminder directly after the celebration of the winter solstice without waiting for the Chinese New Year. Even in Taiwan this celebration takes place on a very grand scale and follows the same customs and rituals like the Chinese. Those visiting China during winter can reside in a Beijing luxury hotel and experience the lively celebrations of Winter Solstice. Offering luxurious comforts, The Peninsula Beijing, is one of the best Forbidden City hotels that will keep you warm and cosy during the beautiful winter in China and let you truly enjoy this festive season with family, friends and loved ones.