Dongzhi Festival-Celebrations, Significance, History

What is Dongzhi Festival?

Dongzhi is a Chinese festival that celebrates the winter solstice, and also the shortest day of the year. With this the winters start and people also mark with this the beginning of the winter season.

And yes, it is traditionally a time for family reunions and the performance of rituals to honor ancestors. People just wait for the day to spend with their loved ones before welcoming new year.

“Extreme of Winter” and “Dongzhi” are same?

Yes, the Dongzhi festival is also known as the “Extreme of Winter” or “Winter’s Greatest Extreme”. This festival is typically celebrated with the consumption of special foods, for example tangyuan.

“Tangyuan” eaten in Dongzhi

Dongzhi is a sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour. It is mostly eaten during Dongzhi festival celebrated in China. It is very much liked and loved by the people and they often exchange and offer it to their loved ones also.

Significance of Dongzhi Festival

Dongzhi is a cultural festival and people often meet and celebrate it together. It marks the winter solstice and also marks the shortest day of the year. It marks the beginning of the winter season.

One more important thing is that this festival marks the end of the year also so this is also another high time for people to welcome the new year.

Which Countries celebrate Dongzhi Festival?

Dongzhi is a significant festival mainly celebrated in China. Along with China some other countries also celebrate this festival like Taiwan and Vietnam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does Dongzhi Festival fall?
Ans: It falls between 21 to 23 December. Normally it marks the shortest day of winter.