Time of this festival <p class="ql-block">“Winter Solstice” falls between the periods of December 21 to December 23. On this day, the day is the shortest and night is the longest in the year.”</p><p class="ql-block">冬至通常是每年的12月21日到12月23日之间，在这一天，白昼时间是全年最短的一天，夜晚是全年时间最长的一天。</p> <p class="ql-block">After this day, many places in China go through the coldest period, which is called in Chinese, “Shu Jiu”. In total, there are nine periods with nine days for each. In the first and second nine days, people keep their hands in pockets; in the third and fourth nine days, people can walk on ice; in the fifth and sixth nine days, people can see willows along the river bank; in the seventh and eighth nine days, the swallow comes back and in the ninth nine days, the yak starts working.</p><p class="ql-block">从冬至之后，中国绝大部分地区都会经历，最寒冷的时期，国内将其称之为“数九”一共是九个时期，用中古俗语说：一九二九不出手，三九四九冰上走，五九六九沿河看柳，七九河开，八九雁来，九九加一九，耕牛遍地走。</p> Special food of this festival <p class="ql-block">The winter solstice is one of the most important days of the year, a day for family togetherness. On this day, people in the northern part of China will eat dumplings, and there is a saying that references this custom. People in southern China will make and eat tang yuan, or rice dumplings, to symbolize the reunion of family.</p><p class="ql-block">冬至是一年中最重要的日子之一，是家人团聚的日子。在这一天，中国北方的人们会吃饺子。中国南方人会做汤圆，或吃汤圆，象征着家庭团聚。</p> Poems of this festival <p class="ql-block">《邯郸冬至夜思家》</p><p class="ql-block">【唐】白居易</p><p class="ql-block">邯郸驿里逢冬至，抱膝灯前影伴身。</p><p class="ql-block">想得家中夜深坐，还应说着远行人。</p><p class="ql-block">Winter Solstice Festival, the detention in the outside, solitary shadow cold lamp, is all in the way. The light homesickness, the thick bosom relatives lets the human move.</p><p class="ql-block">冬至佳节，羁旅在外，孤影寒灯，全是挂碍。淡淡的思乡，浓浓的怀亲让人动容。</p> <p class="ql-block">《小至》</p><p class="ql-block">【唐】杜甫</p><p class="ql-block">天时人事日相催，冬至阳生春又来。</p><p class="ql-block">刺绣五纹添弱线，吹葭六琯动浮灰。</p><p class="ql-block">岸容待腊将舒柳，山意冲寒欲放梅。</p><p class="ql-block">云物不殊乡国异，教儿且覆掌中杯。</p><p class="ql-block">When the winter solstice arrives, spring is not far away. Although in a foreign country, there are no differences in clouds and things.</p><p class="ql-block">Therefore, the poet teaches his son to pour wine and raise his glass to drink, which reflects his rare and comfortable mood.</p><p class="ql-block">冬至既到，春天也就不远了，虽然身处异乡，但云物不殊，所以诗人教儿斟酒，举杯痛饮，反映出诗人难得的舒适心情。</p> Origin of this festival