We all know that there are 24 solar terms in a year, and different solar terms have different meanings and customs. The solstice in winter is an important festival in China. Let's see what the winter solstice is associated with.
What does the solstice of winter remind you of? 1 1, eat "charming ears";
2. Eat jiaozi;
3. Cook red bean rice to eat;
4. Drink powder soup and eat mutton powder soup jiaozi;
5, add meat dishes, eat bacon sausages, and send bacon to relatives and friends;
6. Worship ancestors with nine layers of cakes on the winter solstice;
7. Winter solstice wine;
8. Embroidered mandarin duck shoes;
9. Sweep the snow to welcome guests;
10, rub two big balls and stick them on the knocker to symbolize reunion and auspiciousness.
What is winter like on solstice?
Winter solstice is one of the twenty-four solar terms and traditional festivals in China. On this day, the day is the shortest and the night is the longest. Theoretically, it is the coldest day, but in fact it is not. After this day, it indicates that the real winter is coming.
In ancient times, people regarded the winter solstice as a grand festival, so this day was also called "Winter Festival", "Dragon Solstice Festival" and "Asian New Year". In the Spring and Autumn Period, there were solar terms from winter to Sunday. In the Zhou Dynasty, solar terms became a festival, and many sacrificial activities were held on this day.
The custom of offering sacrifices continued until the Qing Dynasty. Later, because there was a special sacrificial festival, there was no longer a sacrifice on the day of winter solstice. People only eat some traditional food on the solstice of winter to celebrate this reunion moment.
In ancient people's minds, it is not allowed to travel far from home on the solstice of winter, because it is a symbol of winter, and at the end of the year, the family will have a reunion dinner with Meimei. And after this day, you will be greeted by heavy snow. The river is covered with ice and it is very cold.
What does the winter solstice remind people of? What are the traditional customs in winter solstice?
Winter solstice custom 1: ancestor worship
As early as the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was recorded in Cui Ai's "Four-person Moon Order" that the people wanted to offer something to Xuanming and Zuyou. The record of ancestor worship in the winter of solstice increased in the Song Dynasty. "Dream of Tokyo" tells the story of the Winter Solstice Festival, which is the most important day in the capital. Today, it is easier to wear new clothes, prepare meals and enjoy ancestor worship. Legend of Wulin says wonton is the first enjoyment. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, ancestor worship was popular from winter to the sun. Jiajing's "Jiangyin County Records" records: "On holidays, the portrait of Zukao is hung in nave, and a ceremony is set up, and its ceremony depends on New Year's Day." In the southern region where the clan system is prosperous, ancestor worship is often held in ancestral temples. Records of Nankang County, Jiajing, Jiangxi Province: "Worship on the winter solstice precedes the ancestral hall, and the tomb is as bright as a tomb." The custom of offering sacrifices to ancestors from the winter solstice is popular in Fujian. For example, Wanli's "Jianyang County Records" said: "It is a ritual for Japanese families to offer sacrifices to ancestors." Fujian worships ancestors with special dumplings. During the winter solstice of the Qing Dynasty, ancestor worship was generally held at home, in front of graves and in places where southerners lived in compact communities. Often, like Qingming and Zhongyuan, ancestors sacrificed in temples at home.
Winter solstice custom 2: September to dispel the cold in September
When the solstice of winter arrives, it will enter cold weather. China folks call the winter solstice nine to nine or nine to nine, that is, from the winter solstice, every nine days are divided into nine, and * * * is divided into nine. When it reaches 8 1 day, it is a "peach blossom".
In the traditional culture of China, nine is the extreme number, which is the largest, largest and longest concept. Nine nines is eighty-one, which is the "maximum" number. People in ancient China believed that after the winter solstice on September 8 1 Sunday, spring must have arrived.
Winter Solstice Custom 3: Eat jiaozi
The winter solstice is a very important solar term in the China lunar calendar. The winter solstice festival is one of the traditional festivals of the Han nationality, which originated in the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties and has been passed down to this day. The winter solstice is commonly known as "Winter Festival", "Dragon Solstice Festival" and "Asian New Year Festival". As early as 2500 years ago, during the Spring and Autumn Period, China observed the sun with the soil return, and determined the winter solstice. It is the earliest of the 24 solar terms, with the time between 65438+February 2 1 to 23, and it is the shortest day in the northern hemisphere. On the solstice of winter, there are different customs in the north and south of China. Jiaozi is eaten in most areas in the north, and glutinous rice balls are eaten in the south. There is also a proverb: When winter solstice comes, eat jiaozi, as well as poems and film and television works about this solar term.
Winter solstice custom 4: eat wonton
There used to be a saying in old Beijing that "winter solstice wonton, summer solstice noodles". According to legend, during the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu in the north often harassed the frontier, and the people were restless. At that time, there were two leaders, Xiongnu tribe and Tun tribe, which were very cruel. The people hated it, so they wrapped it into a corner with meat stuffing and called it "wonton" with the sound of "muddy" and "swallowing". I hate eating, and I want to quell the war and live a peaceful life. Because wonton was originally made on the winter solstice, every family eats wonton on the winter solstice.
There is another saying: On the day of the winter solstice, there are grand ceremonies on all the streets of the capital. At the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, the Taoist took a kiss and went to the table to celebrate the Buddha's birthday. According to Taoism, the Buddha in the early Yuan Dynasty symbolizes the first century when chaos and Taoism were not divided. Therefore, people have the custom of eating wonton. "Yanjing Years Old" says: "The shape of husband's wonton is like a chicken egg, which is quite similar to the chaos of heaven and earth, so it is eaten from winter to the sun." In fact, "wonton" and "chaos" are homophonic, so people extend eating wonton to break the chaos and create the world. Later generations no longer explain its original meaning, but spread the proverb "Wonton from winter to the sun, and from summer to the sun", treating it simply as a seasonal diet.
Winter solstice custom five: drink mutton soup
It is said that the custom of eating mutton from winter solstice began in the Han Dynasty. According to legend, Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han Dynasty, ate mutton cooked in Fan Kuai on the solstice of winter, which was particularly delicious and full of praise. Since then, the custom of eating mutton from winter solstice has been formed among the people. On the solstice of winter, people eat mutton and various nourishing foods one after another in order to have a good omen for the coming year. Now in Tengzhou, Shandong Province, this day is called Fujiu. Before the festival, the elders will be given gifts such as mutton, and everyone will drink mutton soup, which is a good sign for individuals, elders and families.
Winter solstice custom 6: eat glutinous rice balls
Eating glutinous rice balls was established in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. On the solstice of winter, it is necessary to "make dumplings" or "make dumplings". These are also officially recorded in historical materials. The history says that "on the winter solstice, powdered glutinous rice is a pill, which is called' glutinous rice balls'". After jiaozi is wrapped up, it is necessary to offer sacrifices to the gods and ancestors, and then the whole family will eat around. This is called "adding years". Therefore, it is very old to eat glutinous rice balls on the solstice in winter.
Eating dumplings is a traditional custom from winter solstice, especially in the south of the Yangtze River. "Tangyuan" is an essential food from winter solstice, and it is a round dessert made of glutinous rice flour. "Round" means "reunion" and "perfection". Eating glutinous rice balls on the winter solstice is also called "the winter solstice group". There is a folk saying that "eating glutinous rice balls is one year older".
The winter solstice group can be used to worship ancestors or give gifts to relatives and friends. In the past, Shanghainese were most particular about eating jiaozi. An ancient poem said, "Every family beats rice to make glutinous rice balls, knowing that it is the winter solstice of the Ming Dynasty." . "Circle" means "reunion" and "perfection". Eating jiaozi on the solstice in winter symbolizes family harmony and good luck.
Another explanation is that the winter solstice is the longest night in a year. On the solstice of winter, before dawn, women get up and make a fire to cook jiaozi. First, they worship their ancestors, and then the whole family sit around and eat jiaozi. Therefore, eating jiaozi on the solstice in winter means not only the gradual return of the sun, but also reunion. Modern people prefer to regard it as a symbol of perfection.
Winter solstice custom seven: eat red beans and glutinous rice
In Jiangnan water town, there is a custom that the whole family get together to eat red beans and glutinous rice in the evening from winter to Sunday. According to legend, * * * Gong was a troubled wit who died in the winter. Become a plague ghost after death and continue to harm the people. However, this epidemic ghost is most afraid of red beans, so people cook red bean rice from winter solstice to drive away the epidemic ghost and prevent diseases.
The ratio of adzuki bean to glutinous rice is 1: 2.5. Put adzuki beans in a boiling water pot (the ratio of adzuki beans to water is about 1: 5). Boil until medium-cooked, and take out. In addition, after washing the glutinous rice, soak it in the soup boiled with red beans for one night. The next day, stir the glutinous rice and adzuki bean evenly, steam them in a steamer for about 40 minutes, and serve.
Changsha people of the older generation all know that glutinous rice must be eaten on the solstice in winter. Glutinous rice is sweet in taste and warm in nature, which can nourish healthy qi. After eating, it will cause fever all over the body and play a role in keeping out the cold and nourishing. Best for winter.
It would be better if black glutinous rice could be used. Black glutinous rice is helpful for women to nourish postpartum weakness, increase milk and breastfeed babies. This recipe is glutinous rice, bacon is oily but not greasy, and red beans and peanuts are braised, which is especially delicious. If you want to eat healthier, you can reduce the proportion of bacon and add more beans and miscellaneous grains.
Winter solstice custom 8: Winemaking in winter
Winemaking in winter was originally called Dongyang wine, hence its name, because the spirit of the sun rises in winter and later. According to the lunar calendar, the winter solstice is the most important solar term in a year, because after this day, the soul of the sun rises and everything begins to recover slowly. Until recent years, merchants have been famous from "five good" and "winter brewing in October". Please look at the firewood broom hanging on the eaves. For a time, wine was about taste, not navel but tip. Only when the word "winter brewing" is discovered can it be called winter brewing.
Winter solstice custom 9: winter solstice festival
The Winter Solstice Festival originated in the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and has been passed down to this day. Lu even said that the winter solstice is as big as a year. This shows that the ancients attached great importance to the winter solstice. People think that the winter solstice is a natural transformation of Yin and Yang and a blessing from heaven. In the Han Dynasty, the winter solstice was the "Winter Festival", and the government held a congratulatory ceremony called "He Dong", which was a routine festival. There is such a record in the Book of the Later Han Dynasty: "Before and after the winter solstice, a gentleman was prepared for danger in times of peace, refused to listen to politics, and chose an auspicious day to save trouble." So on this day, the imperial court had a holiday, the army was on standby, the frontier fortress was closed, the business trip was closed, relatives and friends sent meals to each other, visited each other, and had a "quiet" holiday happily.
In the Tang and Song Dynasties, the solstice in winter was the day of ancestor worship. On this day, the emperor went to the suburbs to hold a ceremony to worship heaven. On this day, people must worship their parents. There are still some places to celebrate the winter solstice.
Winter solstice customization 10: winter solstice shoes.
On the winter solstice, people will give shoes. This custom originated in ancient times and is mainly reflected in children, hoping that children will grow up healthily. It used to be mainly hand embroidery. As a gift for boys, hats are mostly made in the shape of tigers and dogs, and embroidered shoes are also beasts. For girls, hats are mostly made in the shape of phoenix, and embroidery on shoes is mostly flowers and birds. Now most of them are purchased from the market, and the form keeps up with the trend of the times. On holidays, adults always like to drop in to see their children and praise the shoes and hats given by their uncles and aunts.
What does the winter solstice remind people of? 3. Seven customs of winter solstice.
1 Beijing wonton
There used to be a saying in old Beijing that "winter solstice wonton, summer solstice noodles". According to legend, during the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu in the north often harassed the frontier, and the people were restless. At that time, there were two leaders, Xiongnu tribe and Tun tribe, which were very cruel. The people hated it, so they wrapped it into a corner with meat stuffing and called it "wonton" with the sound of "muddy" and "swallowing". I hate eating, and I want to quell the war and live a peaceful life. Because wonton was originally made on the winter solstice, every household eats wonton on the winter solstice.
2. Southern Jiaozi
Every year, during the winter solstice of the Lunar New Year, jiaozi is an indispensable holiday feast for both the rich and the poor. As the saying goes: "On October 1st, when the solstice of winter comes, every family eats jiaozi." This custom was left in memory of Zhang Zhongjing, a "medical sage", who gave up medicine from the winter solstice. Northerners eat in disorder, while southerners stay in jiaozi.
3. Dog meat and mutton
It is said that the custom of eating dog meat on the solstice began in the Han Dynasty. According to legend, Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han Dynasty, ate dog meat cooked by Fan Kuai on the solstice in winter, which was particularly delicious and full of praise. Since then, the custom of eating dog meat from winter solstice has been formed among the people. Nowadays, people eat dog meat, mutton and all kinds of nutritious food on the solstice of winter, which is a good sign for the coming year.
4. Red bean rice
This epidemic ghost is most afraid of red beans, so people cook red bean rice on the solstice in winter to drive away the epidemic ghost and prevent diseases.
5. Taiwan Province glutinous rice cake
In Taiwan Province Province, China, the tradition of offering nine-layer cakes to ancestors from winter to the sun is still preserved. Glutinous rice flour is used to knead animals such as chickens, ducks, turtles, pigs, cattle and sheep. , a symbol of good luck, and then put it in a steamer and steam it layer by layer to worship the ancestors to show that they don't forget their ancestors. In the early days of the winter solstice or before and after the agreement, people with the same surname and clan gather in the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors one by one in the order of generations. After the ceremony, there will be a grand banquet for the people who come to worship their ancestors. Everyone drinks heartily and meets again after a long separation, which is called "food ancestor". The ancestors of the winter solstice festival are handed down from generation to generation in Taiwan Province to show that they have never forgotten their roots. Radish, vegetables, tofu, fungus, etc.
6. Winter Brewing in Suzhou
Gusu region attaches great importance to the solar terms of the winter solstice. There is a proverb in Gusu region: "The winter solstice is like a new year". Traditional Gusu people will drink winter wine on the night of winter solstice. Winter wine is a kind of rice wine, which is brewed with sweet-scented osmanthus and has a pleasant aroma. Gusu people will drink winter wine on the night of winter solstice, and at the same time, they will serve all kinds of braised beef and braised mutton. In the cold winter, winter brewing can not only drive away the cold, but also entrust Gusu people with their good wishes for life.
Step 7 be numb
Asako, a specialty of Zhejiang and Jiangxi, is also a traditional snack of Fujian people and a sacrifice of Fujian people. Suitable for steaming, frying, roasting and sand frying after hemp is raised in the shade. Masi is also a famous snack in southern Fujian, among which Du Ying in Nan 'an is the most famous. Its raw materials are superior glutinous rice, lard, sesame, peanut kernel and rock sugar. The crispy rice is sweet and delicious, and it is resistant to hunger after eating. It has a sweet and slippery taste. It is soft, tough and slightly icy. The finished product is bright white, smooth, tough and transparent.