22 Dec 2011 ~ Winter Solstice

Listening to: The Difference ~ The Wallflowers (Bringing Down the House)

The Dong Zhi (冬至) or Winter Solstice Festival is one of the most significant festivals celebrated.

This is the day when daylight is the shortest and has the longest night. 

How do people celebrate winter solstice? My co-workers said "winter solstice is more important than the Chinese New Year". Nowadays, the whole family will get together to have dinner on that night. It was likened to US Thanksgiving.

Sweet glutinous balls with peanut or sesame filling may be eaten afterwards because the name of the dessert "tong yuan" implies gathering.

There were lines outside the butcher stores, as unfortunately the bird flu warning was raised to serious and 17,000 birds will be culled. About 15,000 live chickens are sold on an average day. The price has sky-rocketed, with prices going from HK$50 last week to HK$130 today. (1 US$ = 7.78 HK$).

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.

Historically, the winter solstice may have been immensely important because communities were not certain of living through the winter, and had to be prepared during the previous nine months. Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter, so it was almost the only time of year when a supply of fresh meat was available. The majority of wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking at this time.

For some Native American tribes, as the Hopi, the main purpose of the Winter Solstice ritual is to ceremonially bring the sun back from its long winter slumber. It also marks the beginning of another cycle of the Wheel of the Year, and is a time for purification. Pahos (prayer sticks) are made prior to the ceremony, to bless all the community, including their homes, animals, and plants.