In many parts of northern China, it is a custom to eat jiaozi on the winter solstice every year. As the saying goes, "On October 1st, when the winter solstice comes, every family eats dumplings." The northern part of China wants to eat jiaozi on this day because jiaozi has the meaning of "eliminating cold". So far, there is a folk proverb that "jiaozi Bowl is improper in the winter solstice, and nobody cares if you freeze your ears".
Many places in southern China will celebrate the winter solstice. The winter solstice is a traditional festival to worship the heavens and ancestors, and it is one of the eight festivals of the year. On this day, the people should pay God to worship their ancestors. There is a saying that "the winter festival is as big as a year, and you will never return to your ancestors." People who go out will go home to worship their ancestors on the winter solstice day anyway.
Due to the different manners and customs in different places, the forms of ancestor worship are also different. After the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the ancestors, there is usually a big banquet to entertain the clansmen who come to worship the ancestors. Let's have a good drink and get in touch with each other. Many places regard the winter solstice as a reunion festival.
Extended data:
The winter solstice is one of the eight festivals of the year. Ancestors have a tradition of offering sacrifices to their ancestors on the winter solstice since ancient times to show filial piety and not forget their roots. Due to the different manners and customs in different places, the forms of ancestor worship are also different. While offering sacrifices to ancestors, some places also offer sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth. The offerings mainly include three sacrificial meals, three teas and five wines.
The winter solstice is regarded as a big holiday in winter. In ancient times, people drifting in other places had to go home for the winter festival at this time, which is called "having a home at the end of the year".
The saying that "the winter solstice is as big as a year" is widely circulated in some parts of southern China. The winter solstice is also called "sub-year" and "off-year", which means that the year is approaching and the winter solstice is important. As soon as the winter solstice arrives, the New Year is just around the corner, so the ancients thought that the winter solstice was as important as the New Year. Many places still maintain the traditional custom of offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors on the winter solstice.