What is the meaning of eating dumplings during the Winter Solstice? What else to eat during the winter solstice besides dumplings?

What is the meaning of eating dumplings during the Winter Solstice? What else to eat during the winter solstice besides dumplings?
Dumplings are one of my country’s traditional foods. In many areas, there is a custom of eating dumplings during festivals. So, let’s take a look at what the meaning of eating dumplings during the Winter Solstice is? What else to eat during the winter solstice besides dumplings? "The Book of Rites: Monthly Ordinances" says: "The month of mid-winter is called Changyue." "Chang means full." Therefore, the eleventh month of the lunar calendar is also called Changyue. In this November of the lunar calendar in 2021, Mr. Shui Mo will spend a happy month with you.

What is the meaning of eating dumplings during the Winter Solstice?

The meaning of eating dumplings on the winter solstice: keep your ears from freezing
Eating dumplings on the Winter Solstice is quite common in northern my country. People in northern my country eat dumplings on this day because dumplings are meant to "get rid of the cold." There is still a folk saying that goes, "If you don't eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice, your ears will freeze off and no one will care."
The main purpose of eating dumplings during the Winter Solstice is to commemorate Zhang Zhongjing.
According to legend, Zhang Zhongjing was from Langdong, Nanyang. He wrote "Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases", which is a collection of all the medical knowledge and is regarded as a classic by doctors of all generations. Zhang Zhongjing has a famous saying: "If you advance, you can save the world; if you retreat, you can save the people; if you cannot be a good prime minister, you should at least be a good doctor." During the Eastern Han Dynasty, he served as the prefect of Changsha, where he visited patients, prescribed medicine, and practiced medicine in the hall. Later, he resolutely resigned from his official position and returned to his hometown to treat his neighbors. It was winter when he returned home. He saw that the villagers on both sides of the Baihe River were pale and thin, suffering from hunger and cold, and many people's ears were frozen. He asked his disciples to set up a medical tent and a big pot at the East Gate of Nanyang, and on the day of the winter solstice, he would serve "Quhan Jiao'er Soup" to treat frostbite. He put mutton and some cold-relieving herbs in a pot to boil, then took out the mutton and herbs, chopped them up, and used bread to make "jiao'er" that looked like ears. After cooking them, he gave each person who came to ask for medicine two "jiao'er" and a large bowl of broth. After people ate "Jiao'er" and drank "Cold-Removing Soup", they felt warm all over, their ears became hot, and their frostbitten ears were cured. Later generations imitated the appearance of "jiao'er" and wrapped them into food, also called "dumplings" or "bianshi".

What else to eat during the winter solstice besides dumplings?

1. Eating dog meat
The custom of eating dog meat during the winter solstice is said to have started in the Han Dynasty. . Dog meat is hot in nature, and eating it in winter can indeed warm the body and strengthen the sexual function. From then on, the custom of eating dog meat during the winter solstice was formed among the Han people. After the winter solstice, the weather enters the coldest period. Chinese medicine believes that dog meat and mutton have the effect of strengthening yang and replenishing the body. Eating dog meat, mutton and various nourishing foods during the winter solstice to the Great Cold can replenish the body, so as to be energetic and strong in the coming year.
2. Eat red bean porridge
In the water towns of the south of the Yangtze River, there is a custom of eating red bean porridge on the night of the winter solstice. This is also due to the ancient legend that the son of Gonggong, the leader of the southern tribe, was incompetent and committed many evil deeds. He died on the day of the winter solstice. After his death, he turned into a plague ghost and continued to harm the people. Because the plague ghost is most afraid of red beans, people cook and eat red bean porridge on the day of the winter solstice to ward off the plague ghost, prevent disasters and cure diseases. Later, this red bean porridge was also called "Winter Solstice Porridge".
3. Eat glutinous rice balls
Eating glutinous rice balls is a traditional custom during the winter solstice, and is particularly popular in the south of the Yangtze River. "Tangyuan" is a must-have food for the Winter Solstice. "Round" means "reunion" and "perfection". Eating Tangyuan on the Winter Solstice is also called "Winter Solstice Yuan". There is a saying among the people that "eating glutinous rice balls will make you one year older."

<<:  When is the Winter Solstice in 2021? Is the Winter Solstice a festival? Should we eat tangyuan or dumplings during the winter solstice?

>>:  Are people with birthdays on the Winter Solstice good? What is the personality of people born on the Winter Solstice?

Recommend

Is November 16th of the lunar calendar 2020 a good date?

The weather in mid-winter is solemn and the grass...

Is the fourth day of the tenth lunar month in 2021 suitable for funerals?

Different days are suitable for different things. ...