Twenty-four solar terms were divided by ancient wise men in China according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic through careful observation of natural phenomena and living habits, and the difference between two adjacent solar terms was about 15 days. Twenty-four solar terms originated in the Yellow River Basin, which is the crystallization of the long-term experience and wisdom of the ancient working people in China and an important part of the traditional culture of China.

As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, solar terms such as mid-spring, mid-summer, mid-autumn and mid-winter were set. After continuous improvement and perfection, by the Qin and Han Dynasties, the 24 solar terms had been completely established. In BC 104, the taichu calendar written by Deng Ping officially set 24 solar terms in the calendar, and defined the astronomical position of the 24 solar terms.

Winter solstice is one of the twenty-four solar terms of the lunar calendar and the twenty-second solar term. It is also a traditional festival of the Chinese nation. The winter solstice is a "winter festival", so it is considered as a big holiday in winter. On this day, the day is the shortest and the night is the longest. In ancient times, there was a saying that the winter solstice was as big as a year. In ancient times, people who were wandering outside had to go home for the winter festival at this time, which was called "having a home at the end of the year" In ancient times, there was a saying that "the winter solstice is the life of the sun", that is to say, from the winter solstice, the spirit of the sun slowly began to pick up. This statement is also in line with the astronomical phenomena.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, China observed the sun with earth rules and determined the winter solstice, which was the earliest of the 24 solar terms and a traditional festival of the Chinese nation. During the Yin and Zhou Dynasties, it was stipulated that the day before the winter solstice was the end of the year, and the winter solstice was equivalent to the Spring Festival. Later, the summer calendar was implemented. However, the winter solstice has always ranked first among the 24 solar terms, and it is called "dividing the year".