Dong Zhi (冬至)

 

 

 

The Dong Zhi (冬至) or Winter Solstice Festival is one of the most significant festivals celebrated by the Chinese and many other East Asian nations. It is usually celebrated during the Dong zhi solar term (winter solstice) on December 22, where the sunshine is usually at its weakest and the daylight shortest.

The concept of the festival traces back to the Yin and Yang philosophy of balance and harmony. After this celebration, it is said that there will be days with longer daylight hours, also an indication of the increase of positive flow of energy. Unlike most Chinese festivals that are based on Chinese lunar calendar, Dong Zhi celebrates the winter solstice which occurs when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun and thus is based on the Gregorian (Western) solar calendar. Dong Zhi 2013 / Winter Solstice Festival 2013 / 冬至 2013 falls on Sunday, 22 December 2013.

Dongzhi  is an important festival for Singaporean Chinese. Chinese families gather during Dong Zhi to pay homage for a good year, and celebrate it by eating tang yuan, a traditional food made out of rice flour stuffed with sesame seeds or red bean paste served along a clear soup made of sugar and water and seasoned with pandan leaves and ginger. It is also a time for them to be with their families and friends and to rekindle old friendships.