Dong Zhi

A long-standing custom in China is the celebration of the Winter Solstice at the Dong Zhi, also known as Dongzhi or Dongzhi Festival. People celebrate this on the year's shortest day and longest night. After that day, the daylight hours become longer and longer, which brings people hope for a brighter and better future. As a result, Chinese New Year and the Winter Solstice Festival were originally equally significant. Many festivals and events took place, and some of them continue through generations. For instance, northern Chinese typically eat dumplings, whereas southerners frequently eat wontons or sticky rice balls. There are also customary activities like worshiping the Heaven and the ancestors.

In many areas of northern China, Dong Zhi is also related to an interesting custom. People count the Nines of Winter during the coldest part of winter. The Nines of Winter refers to the nine periods of nine days starting the Winter Solstice. Nine is considered to be the "extreme number," or eternity, in ancient Chinese culture. From the Winter Solstice onward, according to Chinese belief, spring will arrive after nine intervals of nine days. The song charts the changes in the weather and natural world that come before the time for farming to begin again.

Duration: Between the 21st and 23rd of December

Location: China