The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Winter Solstice is the 22nd solar term of the year, beginning on Dec. 22 and ends on Jan. 5 this year.

On the first day of Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night in the year. From then on, the days become longer and the nights become shorter. It also marks the arrival of the coldest season in the year.

The Winter Solstice Festival

As early as the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256BC), people worshipped the gods on the first day of the Winter Solstice, which was also the first day of the new year. The Winter Solstice became a winter festival during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220AD). On this day, both officials and common people would have a rest. During subsequent dynasties, the Winter Solstice was a day to offer sacrifices to Heaven and to ancestors.

Eating nuts

In this period, eating an appropriate amount of nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts and almonds, is good for one's body as vital movement begins to decline and calm down. According to the traditional Chinese medical science, most nuts have the function of nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the brain and heart.

Eating dumplings, wontons and tangyuan

During Winter Solstice, people in Jiangsu province have the customs of eating wontons in midwinter, while people in North China are accustomed to eating dumplings. In places such as Shanghai, people eat tangyuan, a kind of stuffed small dumpling ball made of glutinous rice flour, to celebrate Winter Solstice.