You may be familiar with the coming Christmas that everyone is looking forward, but do you know what day is today to Chinese people? Well, one of the most important day from the four seasons and 24 solar terms falls right on today, Winter Solstice(冬至 Dōngzhì). The saying of “Winter Solstice is as significant as the Spring Festival” fully explains how big this day is. Whether you are confident about your Chinese knowledge or want to know about Dōngzhì, try to test yourself by the following fun quiz!
Let’s start!
Yǐxià nǎgè búshì dōngzhì de biémíng？
1. 以下哪个不是冬至的别名？(Which of the following is NOT the alias of Dōngzhì, or Winter Solstice?)
A. 冬节 dōngjié
B. 冬分 dōngfēn
C. 亚岁 yàsuì
Yǐxià nǎtiáo duìyú dōngzhì de miáoshù zhèngquè？
2. 以下哪条对于冬至的描述正确？(Which of the following description is correct about Dōngzhì?)
Dōngzhì shì yìnián zhōng zuì lěng de yìtiān。
A. 冬至是一年中最冷的一天。
Dōngzhì is the coldest day in a year.
Dōngzhì yǐhòu，báitiān yuèláiyuè cháng。
B. 冬至以后，白天越来越长。
After Dōngzhì, day time will be longer.
Dōngzhì dāngtiān hēiyè zuìduǎn。
C. 冬至当天黑夜最短。
The night on Dōngzhì is the shortest in a year.
Dōngzhì jié qǐyuányú zhōngguó nǎgè cháodài？
3. 冬至节起源于中国哪个朝代？(Which dynasty did the Winter Solstice Festival originate from in China?)
A. 汉朝 Han Dynasty (202~220 BC)
B. 唐朝 Tang Dynasty (618~907)
C. 宋朝 Song Dynasty (960~1279)
Zhōngguórén dōngzhì chī shénme？
4. 中国人冬至吃什么？(What do Chinese people eat on Dōngzhì?)
A. 饺子 Jiaozi
B. 汤圆 Tangyuan
C. 年糕 Rice cake
Yǐxià nǎjiàn shì yìbān bú zài Dōngzhì zuò？
5. 以下哪件事一般不在冬至做？(Which of the following is not usually done on Chinese Winter Solstice Day?)
Sǎomù jìzǔ
A. 扫墓祭祖 Tomb sweeping and ancestor worship
Jìnyān jìnhuǒ
B. 禁烟禁火 No smoke, no fire
Jìnbǔ shēntǐ
C. 进补身体 Taking tonics and nutrition
Winter Solstice, also known as Rìduǎnzhì (日短至, the short day solstice), Dōngjié ( 冬节, winter festival) or yàsuì (亚岁, smaller year) is regarded as a big day in winter.
Winter Solstice has the shortest day time and longest night in all parts of the northern hemisphere. However, the temperature is not the lowest. The real cold weather is after Winter Solstice. This day usually falls on December 21 to 23 of the Gregorian calendar, when the sun is at its highest point in the northern hemisphere, marking the beginning of the cold season. After that day, sun will go back and day time will increase gradually.
People first celebrated Winter Solstice in order to welcome the new year in In Zhou and Qin Dynasties (1046~207 BC). Later, the custom of ancestor worship and family dinner during Spring Festival appeared in winter solstice. It was until Han Dynasty that people took it as a festival and flourished in Tang and Song Dynasties.
Winter Solstice customs vary in content and details due to different regions. In southern China, it is customary to eat tangyuan. Most people in the north are used to eating Jiaozi, while some places are willing to have mutton soup, noodle, rice cake, pumpkin cake or other Chinese pastry.
There is a tradition of offering sacrifices to gods and ancestors in southern China. Taking tonics in winter is also one of the customs with a long history in China, as Ying is at its lowest level while Yang starts to generate at this point. At this time, human body will be full of Yang Qi, easy to absorb nutrients and give full play to the nourishing effect. “No smoke and fire” is the custom of Cold Food Festival(寒食节 hánshíjié).
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