Eating dumplings is also one of the traditional customs of winter solstice. Chaoshan people in Guangdong call the solstice of winter the winter festival. They also have the custom of eating dumplings in winter solstice. There is a saying that "eating dumplings in winter festivals will make you one year older", which means eating dumplings in winter solstice will make you one year older. The custom of eating glutinous rice balls from winter solstice is especially popular in Jiangnan.
Before the winter solstice, people in the south of the Yangtze River often use glutinous rice flour to make dough and wrap jiaozi with stuffing such as lean meat, apples, bean paste and shredded radish. For people in the south of the Yangtze River, "jiaozi" is an indispensable food in winter solstice. Because "jiaozi" means "reunion" and "perfection", eating jiaozi in winter solstice is also called "winter solstice group" to send them away.
Historical records of eating glutinous rice balls in the south in winter from solstice to solstice
Eating glutinous rice balls was established in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. On the solstice of winter, it is also officially recorded in historical materials to "make dumplings" or "powder dumplings". It is called "Winter Solstice", and it is made of glutinous rice balls, hence the name "glutinous rice balls". After making the dumplings, we should offer sacrifices to the gods and ancestors, and then the whole family will eat them around. This is called "adding new year".
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. "Circle" means "reunion" and "perfection". Eating dumplings on the solstice in winter is also called "the solstice group in winter", and there is a folk saying that "eating dumplings is one year older".