What do the solstice in winter and the solstice in summer mean? Solstice in summer, Solstice in long winter, short proverb

The two solar terms, winter solstice and summer solstice, are the easiest to think of. On the day of summer solstice, people will think, summer is so hot, why hasn't winter arrived yet? However, on the solstice of winter, people will wonder why it is so cold in winter, which is really unbearable, and why it is not summer yet. These two solar terms are always opposite, but they are the cycle of four seasons.

The winter solstice is long and the summer solstice is short.

The winter solstice has the longest night and the shortest day, so after the winter solstice, the day becomes longer day by day, which means that the day begins to get longer after the winter solstice.

Summer solstice has the shortest night time and the longest day time, so after the summer solstice, the days are getting shorter and shorter, which means "summer solstice is short"

Another meaning is that the sun shadow is the longest in winter solstice. Therefore, it is "the winter solstice is long", and the sun shadow time from summer solstice is the shortest, so it is "the summer solstice is short".

The custom of summer solstice

1, the solstice in winter and the solstice in summer in jiaozi. Residents in Beijing and Shandong will eat noodles from the solstice in summer.

2. Wheat dumplings: For the dietary customs in Jiangnan, there are generally wheat dumplings, corn, plums, wonton, noodle soup and so on.

On the solstice of summer, farmers will also roll the dough into pancakes, bake them, and eat them themselves after ancestor worship. It is usually called "Summer Solstice Cake" or distributed to relatives and friends.

4. Sacrifice to gods and ancestors: The summer solstice coincides with the wheat harvest season. Since ancient times, people have been used to celebrating harvest and offering sacrifices to ancestors at this time.

5. Summer Resort: On the solstice of summer, women give each other folding fans, powder cakes and other items.

6. Avoid shaving: In the Qing Dynasty, shaving was a taboo custom from summer to the sun, but now most people no longer have this feudal custom.

The custom of winter solstice

Winter solstice custom 1: drink mutton soup

The custom of eating mutton on the winter solstice is said to have begun in the Han Dynasty. According to legend, Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han Dynasty, ate mutton cooked in Fan Kuai on the solstice of winter, which was particularly delicious and full of praise. Since then, the traditional custom of eating mutton in winter solstice has been formed among the people.

People will eat mutton and all kinds of nutritious food on the solstice of winter in order to have a good omen for the coming year. Now in Tengzhou, Shandong Province, this day is called Fujiu. Before the Chinese New Year, young people will give their elders mutton and other gifts, and every family in Fujiu will drink mutton soup, which is a good sign for individuals, elders and families.

Winter solstice custom 2: eat glutinous rice balls

Eating glutinous rice balls has become an established custom in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. On the solstice of winter, you should "make rice balls" or "grind glutinous rice into powder". There are also some official records in historical materials, saying that "glutinous rice is a powdery pill called' Tangyuan' in the winter of solstice". After jiaozi is wrapped, it is necessary to offer sacrifices to the gods and ancestors, and then the whole family will get together to eat jiaozi. This is called "adding new year". Therefore, since ancient times, it is a custom to eat glutinous rice balls in winter solstice.

Eating jiaozi is a traditional custom in winter, especially in the south of the Yangtze River. "Tangyuan" is an essential food from winter solstice, and it is a round dessert made of glutinous rice flour. "Round" means "reunion" and "perfection". Eating glutinous rice balls on the winter solstice is also called "the winter solstice group". There is a folk saying that "eating glutinous rice balls is one year older".

The winter solstice group can be used to worship ancestors or give gifts to relatives and friends. In the past, Shanghainese were most particular about eating jiaozi. The ancients said: "Every family beats rice to make glutinous rice balls, which shows that it is the winter solstice of the Ming Dynasty." . "Circle" means "reunion" and "perfection". Eating jiaozi on the solstice in winter symbolizes family harmony and good luck.

Another explanation is that the winter solstice is the longest night in a year. On the day of winter solstice, before dawn, women get up and make a fire to cook dumplings. First, they worship their ancestors, and then the whole family sit around and eat dumplings. Therefore, eating jiaozi on the solstice in winter means not only the gradual return of the sun, but also family reunion. Modern people prefer to regard it as a symbol of perfection.