The custom of eating mutton at the beginning of winter is said to have started in the Han Dynasty. People eat mutton and various nutritious foods on the day of Beginning of Winter in order to have a good omen in the coming year.

The Beginning of Winter is the nineteenth of the twenty-four solar terms. The handle of the bucket points to the northwest, and the sun's ecliptic longitude reaches 225°. It intersects between November 7 and 8 of the Gregorian calendar every year. Beginning of Winter is a seasonal solar term, which means that winter has begun. Li means the beginning of construction; winter means the end and the collection of all things. The beginning of winter means that vitality begins to stagnate and everything enters a state of rest and storage. Its climate also gradually changes from less rainy and dry in autumn to rainy and cold winter.

The Beginning of Winter is the first solar term in winter and represents the beginning of winter. The beginning of winter is also one of the seasonal nodes that Chinese people attach great importance to. It is a time to enjoy the harvest and recuperate. Through winter recuperation, we look forward to the prosperity of life in the coming year. Beginning of Winter was one of the "Four Seasons and Eight Festivals" in ancient society. It was a very important festival. In some areas of our country, there were customs such as ancestor worship and banquets.