The winter solstice is the fourth solar term of winter, and it is also one of the important festivals of Chinese folk. It not only marks the beginning of winter, but also symbolizes the arrival of the end of the year. On the day of the winter solstice, various celebrations are held to pay tribute to the ancestors and good wishes for the new year. The day of the winter solstice is also extremely important for people, but do you understand the Xi and taboos of the winter solstice?
1. The origin of the winter solstice
In the Zhou Dynasty, the winter solstice used to be the New Year's Day, an important time for people to celebrate the New Year, and it was very lively. Even today, the Jiangnan region still maintains the traditional saying that eating the winter solstice night meal can grow a year old, and people commonly call this Xi "Tian Sui".
During the Han Dynasty, the winter solstice was known as the "Winter Festival", and the government would hold congratulatory ceremonies and regular holidays so that people could enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. The Book of the Later Han Dynasty records the unique scene of the winter solstice. On this day, the whole court will have a holiday and rest, the army will suspend training, the border fortress will close the gates, and the business travel will also be suspended. Friends and family will visit each other with gifts of food to celebrate this "quiet and quiet" holiday. The whole society is immersed in an atmosphere of joy and peace.
This shows that in ancient times, the winter solstice was a very important festival, and people would attach great importance to this festival and hold various celebrations. Now, despite the Chinese New Year, the winter solstice is still regarded as a larger festival.
2. Xi of the winter solstice
1. Ritual Prayer
The winter solstice is a festival of sacrifices and blessings, where people worship heaven and earth, gods and ancestors, express their awe and gratitude for nature, and pray for the safety and prosperity of their families. This Xi of sacrifice and blessing is not only a reverence and remembrance of the ancestors, but also a manifestation of reverence and gratitude for nature.
2. Wear new clothes
In ancient times, the winter solstice was an important festival that people celebrated with new clothes. Now, although people no longer wear new clothes to celebrate the winter solstice, many people still wear their favorite clothes to welcome the new year on this day.
3. Winter winemaking
Winter wine making is a special ritual sense of Suzhou people for the winter solstice, this wine is mellow and delicious, with the fresh smell of late autumn osmanthus, which makes people have an endless aftertaste. For old Suzhou, winter wine is the eternal white moonlight in their hearts, and it is an indispensable delicacy on the day of the winter solstice. Whenever the winter solstice comes, Suzhou people will specially brew winter wine, taste it with family and friends, and share this unique festival atmosphere and good memories.
3. The taboo of the winter solstice
1. Pay attention to keep warm and do not damage yang energy
The winter solstice is the day when the cold air is the heaviest, so pay attention to keeping warm and not damaging the yang energy. In particular, it is necessary to pay attention to the warmth of the neck, shoulders, waist, knees and feet, and at the same time, avoid exposing the body to cold weather for a long time to avoid the invasion of the cold.
2. Get enough sleep to protect your yang energy
"The Yellow Emperor's Neijing" put forward the health advice of "lying down early and getting up late to wait for the sun". This is because going to bed early conserves yang energy and keeps the body warm. At night is when Yang Qi is hidden, and going to bed early can avoid excessive consumption of Yang Qi and thus keep your body warm. Wake up late to replenish yang energy. In winter, the sun comes out later, and it's best to wake up after the sun comes out.
3. Keep your stool smooth
The winter solstice is the day when the cold air is the heaviest, and it is also the time when the gastrointestinal function is the weakest. Due to the low temperature, people like to eat some fatty meats, desserts, etc. to replenish calories. However, excessive intake of these foods may lead to indigestion, poor bowel movements, and thus an increased risk of disease. In order to balance the diet, everyone should consume some foods that have the effect of clearing heat and invigorating food in moderation while eating hot foods.
On the day of the winter solstice, people should pay attention to keeping warm and healthy, observing traditional Xi and taboos to pray for peace and happiness in the coming year.