More than 2,500 years ago, China used Tugui to observe the sun and determined the winter solstice, which is also a traditional festival of the Chinese nation. People attach great importance to this day. The winter solstice is the earliest of the 24 solar terms in China, commonly known as "winter festival", "long solstice festival" and "sub-year old".

Ancient people thought that since the winter solstice, the sun be the spirit of heaven and earth began to flourish, representing the beginning of the next cycle, which was a very auspicious day, so people often held activities such as ancestor worship and family dinner on the winter solstice. The winter solstice is also called "off-year". First, it means that the Chinese New Year is coming soon. Second, it means that the winter solstice is similar to the Chinese New Year, which is very important.

Meaning:

1 People originally celebrated the Winter Solstice Festival to celebrate the coming of the new year. The ancients believed that from the day of the winter solstice, the sun be the spirit of heaven and earth began to flourish and become stronger, representing the beginning of the next cycle, which was a day of great prosperity. Therefore, later, during the Spring Festival, the custom of ancestor worship, family dinner, etc. are often chosen in the winter solstice. The winter solstice is also called "off-year". First, it shows that the year is approaching and there is not much time left. The second is to show the importance of the winter solstice.

2. The Winter Solstice Festival is also called the Winter Festival and the Winter Festival. It is not only one of 24 solar terms, but also a traditional festival in China. The Winter Solstice is the earliest of the 24 solar terms. There was a saying that the Winter Solstice is as big as a year, which was always attached great importance by the court and the people. Since the Zhou Dynasty, there have been sacrificial activities. Taking the winter solstice as a festival originated in the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and continues to this day.

3. The winter solstice is the best time for health preservation, mainly because "Qi begins with the winter solstice". Because from the beginning of winter, life activities began to turn from decline to prosperity, from static to dynamic. At this time, scientific health preservation helps to ensure vigorous energy and prevent premature aging, so as to achieve the purpose of prolonging life. During the winter solstice, the diet is suitable for variety, and the grains, fruits, meat and vegetables are reasonably matched, and foods with high calcium are appropriately selected.

4. There are different customs in different places during the winter solstice. Most places in northern China have the custom of eating jiaozi during the winter solstice. After thousands of years of development, the winter solstice has formed a unique seasonal food culture. Eating jiaozi has become the traditional custom of most northern China people on the winter solstice. Of course, there are exceptions, such as the custom of drinking mutton soup on the day of the winter solstice in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province, which means driving out the cold.