What are the customs of the solstice in southern winter?

On the day of winter solstice, glutinous rice flour is used as the "winter solstice circle". In order to distinguish it from the "farewell to the old year" on the eve of the Spring Festival, the day before the Winter Festival is called "adding the year" or "dividing the year", which means that the "year" has not passed, but everyone has grown by one year.

What are the customs around China on the solstice in winter? People feel differently. When doing the winter solstice circle in the south, children often pinch some small animals, such as kittens, puppies, rabbits, tigers and so on. And the children are very happy at this time. Before eating the winter solstice yen, you should stick a winter solstice yen on the back of the bed lamp in the doors and windows, which is called "waste day" and "send the stove" before baking food. If there are pregnant women at home at this time, the winter solstice will be full, and boys will be born, otherwise girls will be born. When eating the winter solstice, the entrances must be paired for good luck. In the end, there are only two pieces left, the married are the best, and the single and unmarried are the best.

Some families offer seasonal fruits and three kinds of sacrifices in the evening to worship their ancestors. Some people "bask in winter rice" on this day, that is, wash the white rice with water, dry it in the sun, and put it away for the sick to cook porridge later.

Eating jiaozi is also a traditional custom from winter solstice, especially in the south of the Yangtze River. "Tangyuan" is an essential food from winter solstice, and it is a round dessert made of glutinous rice flour. "Round" means "reunion" and "perfection". Eating glutinous rice balls on the winter solstice is also called "the winter solstice group". There is a folk saying that "eating glutinous rice balls is one year older". The winter solstice circle can be used to worship ancestors or give gifts to relatives and friends. An ancient poem said, "Every family beats rice to make glutinous rice balls, knowing that it is the winter solstice of the Ming Dynasty." "Circle" means "reunion" and "perfection". Eating jiaozi on the solstice in winter symbolizes family harmony and good luck.