[Explanation] December 22 is the winter solstice among the twenty-four solar terms this year.
The "Winter Solstice" is the day with the shortest day and longest night in the northern hemisphere.
Although the days are short, in terms of weather, why is the temperature at the winter solstice not the lowest?
Experts said that because there is still "accumulated heat" on the surface, the real severe cold often comes after the winter solstice, and folks began to "count nine" to calculate the cold weather.
[Concurrent] Tang Zhiqiang, Secretary-General of the 24 Solar Terms Protection and Inheritance Alliance
The solar terms of the winter solstice should be said to be one of the earliest solar terms to be measured. Basically, in the early Neolithic period, the point of the winter solstice has been found by measuring shadows with poles.
Some bamboo slips of the Warring States period already contain the word "winter solstice".
When the winter solstice begins, it means that the weather begins to enter the coldest period, which is often called "Jinjiu".
We say that the Northeast is covered in ice for thousands of miles, and the Huanghuai region is often covered with snow, but (for) the southern region, it is a saying that "it is not cold during the winter solstice".
Generally speaking, Chinese people call the days after the winter solstice "Nine Cold Days".
[Explanation] The winter solstice is not only an important solar term in the twenty-four solar terms, but also a traditional Chinese folk festival. It is known as "the winter solstice is as big as the year".
So why did the "Winter Solstice" become such an important festival in ancient times?
[Concurrent] Tang Zhiqiang, Secretary-General of the 24 Solar Terms Protection and Inheritance Alliance
Because the Chinese pay special attention to "inception", the winter solstice is a yang birth, which is equivalent to the period when yang qi begins to germinate, and it has the concept of welcoming the new year.
In fact, in the Western Zhou Dynasty and Qin Dynasty, the winter solstice was regarded as the first month, which was the beginning of the year.
It was not until the time of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty that the summer calendar was used to separate the first month from the winter solstice, but its importance continued until the end of the Qing Dynasty. custom.
At the same time, it is Teacher's Day in ancient times, and students will pay homage to their teachers and offer sacrifices to Confucius.
There is also "winter sacrifice" among the people, which is the sacrificial activity carried out among the people during the winter solstice.
The winter solstice is as big as a new year, and another (reason) is that it has many folk customs and is very important.
Some younger generations present shoes and socks to the elders, (meaning) "Welcome blessings and practice elders". People will also hold cold-elimination parties, where relatives and friends gather, drink and have fun, which is called "Warm Winter".
[Explanation] According to experts, in addition to the well-known dumplings and glutinous rice balls, the diet during the winter solstice is also very rich.
[Concurrent] Tang Zhiqiang, Secretary-General of the 24 Solar Terms Protection and Inheritance Alliance
For example, eating wontons, glutinous rice, drinking mutton soup, and eating mutton. Relatives and friends will also give each other food on the winter solstice day, which is called "winter solstice plate" among the people.
In some areas, there are some more local customs, such as Jiangnan water town, the whole family gathers together on the night of winter solstice and eats red bean glutinous rice, which is believed to drive away plague ghosts, prevent disasters and cure diseases.
[Explanation] "Winter Solstice" is an important time for the transformation of yin and yang. As yin qi slowly decays from its peak, yang qi begins to germinate. Scientific and reasonable health preservation is also particularly important.
[Concurrent] Tang Zhiqiang, Secretary-General of the 24 Solar Terms Protection and Inheritance Alliance
The winter solstice health regimen should focus on nourishing the kidney and heart, focusing on nourishing the kidney and strengthening yang, and calming the mind and worrying less.
More exposure to the sun is conducive to the growth and development of Yang Qi.
It is also necessary to protect against cold and keep warm, and at the same time, it is not suitable for high-intensity physical exercise to avoid damage to Yang Qi.
The winter solstice is a good time for tonic, and it is suitable to eat warm food. For the winter solstice, radish is a good food for tonic. It can eliminate grains, relieve cough and thirst, and at the same time can benefit the qi of the viscera, which is beneficial to health.
As the saying goes, "winter solstice tonic, spring to fight tigers".
Li Jiali reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]