What are the customs in early winter?
First, eat jiaozi.
On this day in early winter, people will eat jiaozi to celebrate the arrival of this solar term. Jiaozi has various fillings, including leek eggs, pork and green onions, beef and radish. Each one has its own unique taste. People will also wrap some coins in jiaozi, which means that people who eat coins will have good luck in the coming year.
Second, sacrifice
On this day in early winter, people will hold sacrificial activities to pray for good weather and good harvests. The custom of offering sacrifices has a long history and was popular as early as the Zhou Dynasty. People will prepare all kinds of offerings, such as chicken, duck, fish and so on. Pray for the blessing of the gods before the sacrifice.
Third, eat sugar cane
There is also the custom of eating sugar cane in early winter. Sugarcane is one of the seasonal fruits in winter. It tastes sweet and delicious. It can be eaten raw, or used to make syrup or stew.
Fourth, eat mutton.
For example, in Changxing, Zhejiang Province, shops have set up stalls to slaughter sheep for sale in August of the lunar calendar. There is a folk proverb: "On the first day of the first month, the sheep will have an operation." It didn't stop selling until after New Year's Eve.
Five, repair farm tools
In the dead of winter, after the busy farming, farmers should check and repair all farm tools in their leisure time. If it is found to be damaged or unusable, it should be repaired or added immediately, so as not to delay the farming season next spring.
Six, eat pumpkin
In the early winter of ancient times, there was a custom of eating pumpkins and jiaozi. When I was in early winter, it was difficult to buy pumpkins in the market. This kind of pumpkin is bought in summer and stored in a hut or window sill. After a long time of saccharification, it is made into dumpling stuffing, which tastes different from Chinese cabbage.