The winter solstice, also known as "Winter Festival" and "Happy Winter", is one of the twenty-four solar terms in China and one of the eight astronomical solar terms, which is opposite to the summer solstice. The winter solstice begins when the sun reaches 27 degrees of the yellow meridian, and it is around December 22 of the Gregorian calendar every year. It is said that the Winter Solstice was New Year's Day in the Zhou Dynasty in history, and it was once a very lively day.

Eating red bean rice on the winter solstice is from Ningbo, and it has been around for more than 1,6 years. It is said that it is to prevent the plague. Ningbo nursery rhymes: "Dede Dede, sell Sekihan. Three catties of walnuts and four catties of shells, eat the meat and return the shells. Uncle Zhang asked Nong for a kitten and yellow dog. "

There are three widely circulated theories about the origin of eating red bean rice on the winter solstice in Ningbo. By the way, I'd like to introduce two Ningbo winter solstice customs to you. Let's take a look with me:

1. What is the origin of eating red bean rice?

? One of the origins of eating red bean rice on the winter solstice in Ningbo: driving away epidemic ghosts?

According to legend, * * * Gong died on the winter solstice, and later became a plague ghost, continuing to harm the people. However, this epidemic ghost is most afraid of red beans, so people cook red bean rice on the winter solstice to ward off the epidemic ghost and prevent disasters.

In ancient Ningbo, people generally believed in superstitions and were afraid of ghosts and gods. They believed that people's illness and poor health were caused by epidemic ghosts. These evil spirits are fearless, and they are most afraid of red beans. Therefore, people in Ningbo cook red bean rice on the winter solstice to ward off epidemic ghosts and prevent and cure diseases.

? The second origin of eating red bean rice on the winter solstice in Ningbo: red beans play ghosts?

It is said that Zhuan Xu, one of the five emperors in ancient times, had three sons who died and became evil spirits, who came out to frighten children. In ancient times, people generally believed in superstition and were afraid of ghosts and gods. They believed that adults and children suffered from stroke and were in poor health because of epidemic ghosts. These evil spirits are fearless, only afraid of red (red) beans, so there is a saying that "red beans play ghosts." Therefore, on the winter solstice, red adzuki beans and red adzuki beans are used to cook rice, so as to dispel the epidemic and welcome the auspicious.

In any case, a bowl of sweet and nourishing red bean glutinous rice on the winter solstice night always makes people happy. In Ningbo, the custom of the whole family getting together to eat red bean rice on the winter solstice night has been passed down to this day.

? The third origin of eating red bean rice on the winter solstice in Ningbo: to commemorate the cowherd?

Up to now, there is a legend in Ningbo area. Once upon a time, there was a cowherd who was unintentionally hacked to death by the landlord for fighting with the landlord, and the rice scattered on the ground was dyed red with blood. This day is the winter solstice. Since then, the poor have to eat red bean rice to commemorate him on the winter solstice. Later generations regard the winter solstice as a mourning day and use red bean rice as a drink.

second,? Ningbo winter solstice custom?

? One of the winter solstice customs in Ningbo: sweet potato soup?

in the traditional customs of Ningbo, sweet potato soup is one of the must-eat delicacies on the winter solstice. "Fan" and "Fan" are homonyms. In Ningbo people's understanding, eating sweet potatoes on the winter solstice means "turning over" all the bad luck of the past year.

Tangguo is a must-eat food for Ningbo people on the winter solstice. People in Ningbo have a saying that they are one year older after eating soup. Tangguo is similar to tangtuan, which means "reunion" and "perfection", but the tangguo is smaller and there is no stuffing in it.

People in Ningbo celebrate the Winter Solstice. In the old days, all families rubbed dumplings with reed powder, which was called reed soup fruit. Later, it was gradually changed to glutinous rice flour balls, and sweet potato granules were added, which was called sweet potato soup fruit. First for the kitchen god, then for the whole family. Commonly known as "New Year's Eve on the Winter Solstice", slang "The Winter Solstice is as big as a year, and the emperor wants Xie Nian". On this day, the elders told the children not to cry, nor did the adults beat and scold the children, nor did they break things, otherwise it would be considered unlucky.

? The second custom of Ningbo winter solstice: baked rice cake with kohlrabi?

On the day before the Winter Solstice, people in Ningbo generally don't go out. On the morning of the Winter Solstice, the whole family has the custom of eating kohlrabi and baking rice cakes. Baked rice cake with kohlrabi is a simple traditional food in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Before and after the winter solstice, Ningbo people's daughters or daughters-in-law will cook a turnip baked rice cake to meet the occasion, indicating a better life. Baked rice cakes with kohlrabi are more common, and soy sauce, sugar and salt can be done! When cooking kohlrabi baked rice cakes and baked vegetables, you can make this delicious rice cake by the way!

On the eve of the Winter Solstice Festival, every family bakes kohlrabi, and the big stove burns brightly. Wash the kohlrabi, peel and cut into pieces, and don't waste the leaves. Cut off the potholes on the surface and put them in a wok. The pieces should be cut a little thicker, otherwise they will easily boil and the chopsticks will not hold. Put the kohlrabi in first, then enlarge the rice cake, turn it over, put some soy sauce, then cover the burning firewood with grass ash, the firewood will burn in the dark all night, and cook it with slow fire. The kohlrabi will be simmered in the wok all night. The next morning, when the water will boil dry, add sugar and salt, then pour a layer of vegetable oil into the wok, and the fragrant turnip baked rice cake will be done!

The key to baking rice cakes with kohlrabi on the winter solstice is that the stove fire will not go out on the night of the winter solstice, and every family should burn it "brightly", and the fire will be passed down from generation to generation, which is the most real and basic expectation of the people, while the rice cakes imply "high every year".

There is a folk saying, "Eat more red beans in winter, people will bask in the sun, get rid of diseases and strengthen their bodies". Eating red bean glutinous rice on the winter solstice will keep you warm and nourish your stomach, which is very suitable for eating in winter.