Dongzhi or Winter Solstice Festival is (冬至; Dōngzhì) literally means the Arrival of Winter. It is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dongzhi solar term (winter solstice) on or around December 22 (according to East Asia time).
Mom used to tell that during this day, everyone in the family will have to get home and have dinner together, no matter how anyone of them work at different places. This practice has made the occasion special, enable family bonds and spends time together at year end.
When I google this, there is one site said, "In traditional Chinese society, the arrival of winter meant that the farmers would lay down their tools and celebrate the harvest by coming home to their families. A feast would be prepared to mark the occasion. These days, Dōng Zhì is still an important cultural holiday. Even though most people do not get a day off work, everyone tries to get together with their families to eat tāng yuán."
Tāng yuán itself is a homophone of and frequent metaphor for family-union. The round shape represents never ending and it is made from glutinous rice which is sticky, means family needs to stick together and get back together occasionally.
Depends on each family nature, tāng yuán is served at least twice a year, in Dongzhi Festival and during Lunar Year. Apart of having tāng yuán, we may also have glutinous rice snack (moci).
The idea of getting together is not merely on the festive or dinner itself. When we are able to introduce this to younger children, that will become fun. Of course - apart of getting them accustomed to the tradition. Get them involve making tāng yuán becomes exciting, how they form glutinous balls from many colors, sometimes it doesn't come out round and smooth, yet they love it. Especially when it comes to serving and eating together, look how amazing they are trying to recognize their hand-made :)
Tāng yuán is made from glutinous rice flour, mixed with a small amount of water to form balls and then cooked in boiling water and served with brown sugar sweet soup with ginger. Tāng yuán can be either filled or unfilled.
From the other source, tāng yuán is traditionally eaten during Yuanxiao (Chap Goh Meh), Lantern Festival (Tanglung Festival) and Dong Zhì (Winter Solstice). However, it has also come to be associated with the Winter Solstice and Chinese New Year.
Happy Dongzhi Festival, everyone!
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