Dong Zhi 2021

冬至, Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival falls on Tuesday, December 21 2021.

Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese: 冬至; pinyin: Dōngzhì; literally: “the extreme of Winter”) is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese during the Dongzhi solar term(winter solstice) on or around December 22 (according to East Asia time).

Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together.

One activity that occurs during these get-togethers is the making and eating of tangyuan (湯圓) or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large tangyuan in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savory broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl. The festive food is also a reminder that celebrators are now a year older and should behave better in the coming year.

Even today, many Chinese around the world, especially the elderly, still insist that one is “a year older” right after the Dongzhi celebration instead of waiting for the lunar new year. 😃

HAPPY DONG ZHI FESTIVAL from all at HAYDEN!😃