The winter solstice is the experience summed up by the ancients through astronomical observations, they believe that "the winter solstice, the solstice of the cathode, the beginning of the yang", is the dividing point of the alternating yin and yang, on the day of the winter solstice, day and night will go to the extreme, one becomes the shortest, one becomes the longest, and after the winter solstice, the day begins to gradually become longer, and the night begins to gradually shorten. On such a special day, the ancients have always been very exquisite, and there is a saying in the saying that "there are three taboos on the winter solstice, do not eat dumplings, do not go out", and there is one thing that is even less known. So what do these customs say?
As one of the most important solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar, it has changed from twenty-four solar terms to a very heavy festival, which is far beyond the reach of other solar terms. Its name in ancient times has many sayings, such as "winter", "sub-year", "winter festival", etc., it is said that more than two thousand years ago in the Spring and Autumn Period has existed, when the ancients used Tugui to observe the sun, the winter solstice has been determined at that time, so people have always believed that the earliest of the twenty-four solar terms was formulated is the winter solstice. Although this day is a universal celebration, every household is lively, but as a traditional festival, it is naturally indispensable to the various taboos necessary for tradition.
First, it is taboo not to eat dumplings
For us today, dumplings are eaten whenever they want, but they were not so happy in ancient times. It can only occur during festivals or special circumstances that are worth celebrating, and for children at that time, looking forward to eating dumplings is no different from looking forward to the New Year. Although you can't eat it usually, you must eat it during the winter solstice. This custom has spread to almost every village in China, and although the north and south have their own flavors in customs due to differences in geographical and climatic environment, dumplings are definitely a general consensus. There are many theories about its roots, and the more popular theories are said to commemorate the kindness of the medical saint Zhang Zhongjing who used the "Jiao'er soup" to relieve the people, just as the Dragon Boat Festival eats zongzi to commemorate Qu Yuan. Coupled with the shape of dumplings and the way to eat the filling, it is extremely easy to be accepted and spread by people. Many places still have the saying that the winter solstice must eat dumplings, such as "the winter solstice does not dishwash the dumpling bowl, the ears are frozen and no one cares", "the winter solstice does not bite the winter, there is no positive wind in the field", etc., all of which reflect the happiness of people when eating hot dumplings during the winter solstice.
Second, it is taboo to sit on the stone
There is a saying in the folk saying that "summer does not sit on wood, winter does not sit on stones", which is obviously inseparable from the culture of Chinese medicine to cure diseases. There is a treatise on yin and yang in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic, Su Qing, which mentions that "winter is cold, and spring will be warm and sick.". The "iron stone heart" is to borrow the cold and hard of the stone to describe people's ruthlessness, the winter stone is undoubtedly more cold, and the winter solstice is the time when the cold pole is very weak. If you sit on the cold stone for a long time, you will inevitably have a cold upper body lying in the body, and in the spring it will come out to do harm, which the ancients called the warm disease. Therefore, in the "Jin Kuaizhen Remarks", it is said that "winter disease is in the yin", yin is the wet and cold qi, after entering the body, it will break the balance of yin and yang in the body, and in the spring, various problems will be revealed. Just as others have sat on hot stools, they often wait until they are cold, and the reason is also because people realize that gas can also be contagious. Therefore, after the winter solstice, the stone bench and stone chair should be guarded, and it is natural to sit down occasionally, but if you do it often, you must do a good job of cold and warm measures.
Third, avoid going out
Many people may not understand this, but it is easy to understand if you put yourself in the shoes of others. The way out here is to point out the far door, the ancient living conditions are very different from the present, and its means of transportation are extremely expensive, for the people, horses and cars are unimaginable. And the winter solstice day is a grand festival, as the saying goes, "the winter solstice is as big as the year", going out on a lively day of reunion means being absent, and it is a great regret for the relatives and themselves who are present. Coupled with the winter solstice began to short days and nights long, if you go out, it is likely that you can't go home before dark, and it is easy to freeze your body in the long and cold night, so don't go out on the day of the winter solstice, and it is the most correct way to celebrate at home with relatives and friends.
However, although the winter solstice is a traditional festival, it is not a legal holiday after all, so many people still have to work on the day of the winter solstice. However, the "festival" of the winter solstice has long been active around, so although I am in the office, I already have some joy in my heart. After work, a family of old and young, three or five groups, or dumplings or restaurants, the night of the winter solstice will be full of joy and laughter.