冬至 DongZhi Festival - What is it?

 

Hello Tea Friends!

  Hope you're all doing well and managing to stay afloat during this busy time. Coming from the region I live in, I often find myself a bit out of the loop when it comes to cultural celebrations and holidays from other parts of the world—especially when the major local holidays tend to take over. So, when the wonderful Angel over in Customer Service asked me about the Dongzhi Festival, I had no idea what it was. If you’re in the same boat, come along—I’ll be diving into it and sharing what I’ve learned! And fair warning: it might just leave you craving some delicious treats.

What is it?

 

  In Chinese, Dongzhi (冬至) roughly translates to “winter’s arrival” or “winter’s extreme.” The celebration happens between December 21st and 23rd every year and is tied to the winter solstice (This year it’s on the 21st).

 

  Though the Dongzhi festival originated in China, it’s celebrated across East Asia in a variety of ways. It’s a time for reuniting with family and friends, worshiping ancestors, and enjoying delicious delicacies as the harvest season winds down. It also traditionally marks the end of crop harvesting!

  Dongzhi reminds me of how animals prepare for winter—hearty meals, much needed rest, and cherished moments with loved ones as the snow starts to fall. Cozy!

Origins of the Festival

 The Dongzhi Festival is rooted deeply in the concept of Yin and Yang, a key principle in traditional Chinese medicine. With winter’s shorter days and peak Yin energy (cold and dark), the festival celebrates balance by consuming Yang-rich foods (warm and energizing). Popular dishes include hotpot, babao porridge, dumplings, and glutinous rice based foods that are often paired with darker teas such as DuiDui's 2010 Shou Puer.

  I’ve seen in my reading that the winter solstice was celebrated as early as the Zhou dynasty (1045 BC–256 BC). However, Dongzhi became an officially recognized festival during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) after Zhou Fong, a renowned scholar, used a sundial to pinpoint the winter solstice, marking the shortest day of the year. During this time, the solstice was celebrated with rituals and offerings, emphasizing harmony and balance in accordance with the Yin-Yang philosophy. 

 The festival gained widespread recognition and became deeply ingrained in Chinese culture during the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) and Song dynasty (960–1279 CE). Extended holidays allowed officials and common folk alike to reconnect with their families, honor their ancestors, and express gratitude to the gods for the harvest. These gatherings solidified Dongzhi as an important occasion for reflection and reunion.

  Dongzhi was once called the Festival of Extreme Length (長至節), a fun nod to the remarkably long shadows cast during the shortest day of the year. Our shadows aren’t something we usually think about, but this Saturday, take a look at yours! If you have one, of course.

 

(Yuan Shikai offering sacrifices to heaven at a DongZhi ceremony, 23 December 1914)

 

Dumplings!

 

 

  I've decided that dumplings, or jiaozi (饺子)  will have their own section, simply because I find the legend behind their popularity so interesting, and because I like dumplings.

  During a bitter winter in the Han dynasty, a physician named Zhang Zhongjing noticed that the poor were suffering from chilblains on their ears (a painful inflammation caused by prolonged exposure to cold, damp air). Moved by their plight, Zhang instructed his apprentices to create dumplings filled with lamb and other warming herbs and ingredients. They served these dumplings in a soup called qùhán jiāoěr tāng (“dumpling soup that expels the cold”), helping people stay warm. The dumplings were even shaped like ears! 

  I’m glad it’s toque season in Canada, because I don’t need to be getting hungry every time I see someone’s ears in public. Nowadays, dumplings are still a staple of Dongzhi, especially in northern China, where winters are a bit more bitter.

 

Tangyuan

 

(red bean, pumpkin, sesame, and peanut tangyuan)

  In southern China, glutinous rice balls, known as tangyuan (湯圓), take center stage instead of dumplings. These small, chewy treats can be filled with sweet fillings like red bean, sesame, or peanut, or savory ones with high-Yang ingredients like ginger or garlic. They’re usually served in a broth or sweet soup. And the colors! Adorable.

 

During all my reading and blog research, I’ve come to realize that circles are very important symbolically in Chinese culture. They represent unity, completeness, wholeness… which is why it’s no surprise that these gooey, round treats are so important in this family oriented holiday. Many people come together with their families to make and enjoy tangyuan as a social event. Interestingly, tangyuan is also a homophone for “reunion” in Chinese!

  Modern tangyuan can take on playful shapes, like animals, adding a touch of whimsy to the tradition.

  A side note, I learned that it’s common for people to stick tangyuan to the backs of their doors as a sort of talisman to keep evil spirits away from children. I wonder if they throw them the way I check my pasta?

Regional Variations

Here’s a quick little breakdown of some notable variations from a few places!

 

Taiwan

 

(courtesy of Vanessa's nine layer cake recipe @kitchenoflove2013.blogspot.com)

In Taiwan, nine-layer cakes (九层糕 jiu ceng gao) made from glutinous rice are popular. These cakes are often shaped like auspicious animals such as chickens, ducks, or cows and are offered to ancestors. Taiwanese traditions also emphasize restoring Yang energy through high-fat and high-yang foods like mutton, ginseng, and healthy tonics.

 

Japan

In Japan, winter solstice traditions include eating foods that end with the letter “N” (like carrots, ninjin, and lotus root, renkon), as these are thought to bring good fortune. “N” is also the last letter in the Japanese alphabet, which is fitting since the winter solstice is also an “end”. People in Japan might also enjoy pumpkin snacks and take warm yuzu baths to relax and rejuvenate.

 

Korea

 

  In Korea, the holiday is called Dongji, and families gather to eat patjuk (red bean porridge). Red beans are believed to ward off bad energy, so they’re commonly sprinkled around homes as part of the tradition. Auspicious gifts like calendars or quilted socks are also frequently exchanged, adding a cozy touch to the celebration.

 

 So there you have it! Whether you're celebrating the Dongzhi Festival or just learning about it for the first time, I hope this little journey through traditions and tasty treats has been as educational for you as it was for me. If you’ve ever celebrated Dongzhi or have any favorite foods that remind you of it, share them on our Discord! It's a great place to make friends.

In the meantime, I have a craving for dumplings… gotta run!

 

‘Til next time!

Happy steeping! -Mickey