Winter Solstice – 冬至 dōngzhì

Dongzhi

冬至dōngzhì冬至dōngzhì是shì華人huárén文化wénhuà中zhōng一個yíge很hěn重要zhòngyào的de日子rìzi，通常tōngcháng在zài是shì华人huárén文化wénhuà中zhōng一个yíge很hěn重要zhòngyào的de日子rìzi，通常tōngcháng在zài12月yuè21日rì到dào23日rì之間zhījiān12月yuè21日rì到dào23日rì之间zhījiān。這zhè一yì天tiān是shì一年yìnián中zhōng。这zhè一yì天tiān是shì一年yìnián中zhōng白天báitiān最zuì短duǎn、晚上wǎnshàng最zuì長cháng白天báitiān最zuì短duǎn、 晚上wǎnshang最zuì长cháng的de一天yìtiān。從cóng冬至dōngzhì開始kāishǐ，白天báitiān會huì一天yìtiān一天yìtiān變biàn長cháng，代表dàibiǎo的de一天yìtiān。从cóng冬至dōngzhì开始kāishǐ，白天báitiān会huì一天yìtiān一天yìtiān变biàn长cháng，代表dàibiǎo新xīn的de開始kāishǐ和hé希望xīwàng新xīn的de开始kāishǐ和hé希望xīwàng。。

The Winter Solstice, known as Dongzhi 冬至, is one of the most important seasonal festivals in Chinese culture. It usually falls around December 21–23, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. From this day on, daylight gradually becomes longer, symbolizing renewal, balance, and hope.

In China

在zài在zài中國Zhōngguó中国Zhōngguó，人們rénmen覺得juéde冬至dōngzhì是shì一個yíge天氣tiānqì開始kāishǐ慢慢mànmàn變biàn暖nuǎn的de重要zhòngyào時間shíjiān。很hěn多duō家庭jiātíng會huì在zài這zhè一天yìtiān一起yìqǐ吃飯chīfàn，吃chī一些yìxiē可以kěyǐ讓ràng身體shēntǐ變biàn暖nuǎn的de食物shíwù。南方nánfāng的de人rén常cháng吃chī，人们rénmen觉得juéde冬至dōngzhì是shì一个yíge天气tiānqì开始kāishǐ慢慢mànmàn变biàn暖nuǎn的de重要zhòngyào时间shíjiān。很hěn多duō家庭jiātíng会huì在zài这zhè一天yìtiān一起yìqǐ吃饭chīfàn，吃chī一些yìxiē可以kěyǐ让ràng身体shēntǐ变biàn暖nuǎn的de食物shíwù。南方nánfāng的de人rén常cháng吃chī湯圓tāngyuán汤圆tāngyuán，北方běifāng的de人rén則zé常cháng吃chī，北方běifāng的de人rén则zé常cháng吃chī餃子jiǎozi饺子jiǎozi。大家dàjiā相信xiāngxìn，吃chī了le這些zhèxiē食物shíwù，冬天dōngtiān會huì比較bǐjiào不bù容易róngyì生病shēngbìng。。大家dàjiā相信xiāngxìn，吃chī了le这些zhèxiē食物shíwù，冬天dōngtiān会huì比较bǐjiào不bù容易róngyì生病shēngbìng。

In China, Dongzhi has traditionally been seen as a time when yin energy reaches its peak and yang energy begins to grow. Families gather to eat warming foods, especially tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) in the south and dumplings in the north, believing these foods bring good health and protection during winter.

In Taiwan

在zài在zài台灣Táiwān台湾Táiwān，冬至dōngzhì也yě和hé，冬至dōngzhì也yě和hé有yǒu很hěn大dà的de關係guānxī。很hěn多duō人rén會huì在zài冬至dōngzhì吃chī湯圓tāngyuán，表示biǎoshì自己zìjǐ有yǒu很hěn大dà的de关系guānxi。很hěn多duō人rén会huì在zài冬至dōngzhì吃chī汤圆tāngyuán，表示biǎoshì自己zìjǐ又yòu長大zhǎngdà一yí歲suì了le又yòu长大zhǎngdà一yí岁suì了le。有些yǒuxiē家庭jiātíng也yě會huì準備zhǔnbèi食物shíwù，拜bài祖先zǔxiān或huò家裡jiālǐ的de神明shénmíng，感謝gǎnxiè他們tāmen的de保護bǎohù。。有些yǒuxiē家庭jiātíng也yě会huì准备zhǔnbèi食物shíwù，拜bài祖先zǔxiān或huò家里jiālǐ的de神明shénmíng，感谢gǎnxiè他们tāmen的de保护bǎohù。

In Taiwan, Dongzhi is also closely connected to family, tradition, and folk beliefs. Eating tangyuan is believed to symbolize growing older by one year, and in some families, offerings are made to ancestors or household gods. Compared to Mainland China, Taiwanese Dongzhi customs place stronger emphasis on home rituals and symbolic foods, making the festival feel both intimate and meaningful.

Tangyuan In Taiwan

On the day of the Winter Solstice, people in Taiwan always eat tangyuan. Tangyuan are made from glutinous rice and are round in shape. Because “round 圓圆 yuán” means togetherness 團圓团圆 tuányuán, eating tangyuan is a way to show that the family is together and happy.

In Taiwan, there are two traditional kinds of tangyuan: sweet tangyuan and savory tangyuan. Sweet tangyuan are filled with peanuts, sesame, or red beans and are eaten in sweet soup. Savory tangyuan have no filling, but the soup is cooked with meat, mushrooms, and vegetables, making it warm and comforting. On this day, families often make tangyuan together at home and offer them during worship, which makes the festival feel even more special.

There is a popular saying in Taiwan: “After eating tangyuan, you are one year older.” This means people believe eating tangyuan brings growth and good luck. Families also take this time to thank their ancestors and gods, hoping for a year that is complete 圓滿圆满 yuánmǎn, smooth 圓融圆融 yuánróng, and full of blessings.

Today, tangyuan are no longer just traditional. Many fun and creative flavors have appeared! You can find matcha tangyuan, tiramisu tangyuan, strawberry tangyuan, taro tangyuan, fresh meat tangyuan, and even the surprising cilantro tangyuan. No matter the flavor, tangyuan continue to bring warmth, smiles, and a sense of togetherness to Winter Solstice celebrations in Taiwan.

Actually, besides the traditional hot tangyuan, if you visit in summer, I highly recommend trying Yu Pin Yuan’s Iced and Hot Tangyuan (御品元冰火湯圓) in Taipei! 😋 Imagine hot, chewy rice balls sitting on a bed of shaved ice, with a splash of fresh lemon juice and sweet osmanthus syrup. It’s sweet but not too heavy, and the hot-and-cold combo is just so fun to eat. This refreshing dessert is even a Bib Gourmand–recommended local snack!

Fun Fact

In Taiwan, when you eat tangyuan, you’re supposed to eat an even number, because good things always come in pairs. And here’s another important rule: don’t eat tangyuan alone! You should eat them with your family or friends, so you won’t be lonely in the coming year.

But don’t worry! If you really have no one to eat with, just go to a tangyuan shop on the street. Who knows? You might just meet your new family there. 😉

Story of Why We Eat Tangyuan

Long ago, on a Winter Solstice day, a poor family came to a town. They were a father, a mother, and a young daughter. The weather was very cold, and they had no food. The mother became sick and later died.

The father wanted to give his wife a burial, but he had no money. So he had no choice but to sell his daughter to a wealthy family.. When the daughter knew she had to leave her father, she was very sad and fainted. The father asked for a bowl of rice soup and fed her slowly, one spoon at a time, until she woke up.

Three years passed. The father never came back. Every Winter Solstice, the daughter missed her father more and more. She thought, Maybe my father is still poor and doesn’t want to see me.

Then she had an idea. She said to the family she lived with,

“Today is the Winter Solstice. Every family eats rice balls, so the door gods should eat them too.”

The family agreed. The girl made two big, round rice balls and stuck them on the door. She hoped her father would see them and know this was her home.

But the father did not come.

The next year, she put rice balls on the door and the window again. The neighbors saw this and thought it was a nice idea about family and reunion, so they did it too.

And that is how this Winter Solstice tradition began.