The 22th Solar Term - Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice 冬至

“Winter Solstice” falls between the periods of December 21 to December 23. On this day, the day is the shortest and night is the longest in the year.”

冬至通常是每年的12月21日到12月23日之间，在这一天，白昼时间是全年最短的一天，夜晚是全年时间最长的一天。

After this day, many places in China go through the coldest period, which is called in Chinese, “Shu Jiu”. In total, there are nine periods with nine days for each. In the first and second nine days, people keep their hands in pockets; in the third and fourth nine days, people can walk on ice; in the fifth and sixth nine days, people can see willows along the river bank; in the seventh and eighth nine days, the swallow comes back and in the ninth nine days, the yak starts working.

从冬至之后，中国绝大部分地区都会经历，最寒冷的时期，国内将其称之为“数九”一共是九个时期，用中古俗语说：一九二九不出手，三九四九冰上走，五九六九沿河看柳，七九河开，八九雁来，九九加一九，耕牛遍地走。

“Winter Solstice” is not only a solar term but an important festival. Here are some traditional foods for “Winter Solstice”.

“冬至”不只是一个节气也是一个非常重要的节日。这里有一些”冬至“的传统食物：

Wonton noodle 馄饨面

Red bean glutinous rice 赤豆糯米饭

Jiao zi / Dumplings 饺子

The winter solstice is one of the most important days of the year, a day for family togetherness. On this day, people in the northern part of China will eat dumplings, and there is a saying that references this custom. People in southern China will make and eat tang yuan, or rice dumplings, to symbolize the reunion of family.

冬至是一年中最重要的日子之一，是家人团聚的日子。在这一天，中国北方的人们会吃饺子。中国南方人会做汤圆，或吃汤圆，象征着家庭团聚。