The Dōng Zhì (冬至 literally means "the Extreme of Winter") or Winter Solstice Festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dong Zhi solar term (winter solstice) on or around December 22 when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest.
The origins of this festival can be traced back to the yin and yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. After this celebration, there will be days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in. The philosophical significance of this is symbolized by the I Ching hexagram fù (復, "Returning"). Traditionally, the Dong Zhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get-togethers is the making and eating of "tang yuan" (湯圓) or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion.
Tang yuan are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large “tang yuan” in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savoury broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl. It is also often served with a mildly alcoholic unfiltered rice wine containing whole grains of glutinous rice
Some Chinese ‘traditionalists‘ insist that everyone turns a year older after Dong Zhi. The celebration of Dong Zhi is also deeply rooted in the Chinese belief of yin and yang, which represent balance and harmony in life. The Chinese believe that although the yin qualities of darkness and cold are at their most powerful at the time of Dong Zhi, it is also a turning point, heralding the dawning of the light and warmth of yang. Because of this, Dong Zhi is considered a time of optimism.
