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Prepare your tastebuds for the delicious festivities of Dongzhi, also known as the Winter Solstice Festival, which falls on December 21! Dating back to the Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE), this centuries-old Chinese tradition has been a time to celebrate the year's hard work and the bounty of the harvest, all while ushering in the winter season. At the heart of Dongzhi are family reunions, joyful celebrations, and, most importantly, tantalizing food! As the most significant solar term in Chinese culture, Dongzhi brings with it a wonderful sense of togetherness and feasting, a joyous and heartwarming tribute to family and home. Whether you're a fan of the seasonal dishes or the warm family gatherings, Dongzhi promises a warm celebration in the heart of winter!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>202 BCE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Dongzhi Origins</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Han Dynasty begins, marking the origin of Dongzhi Festival, celebrated as the Winter Solstice.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>618</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Dongzhi and Tang Dynasty</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Tang Dynasty, a high point in Chinese civilization, sees cultural advancement, including Dongzhi Festival.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>960</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Song Dynasty Dongzhi Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the Song Dynasty, Dongzhi becomes more embedded in the everyday life of the Chinese people.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1368</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>The Ming and Dongzhi</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dongzhi festival continues to be a significant celebration during the Ming Dynasty's rule.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Wider Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dongzhi Festival begins to spread across other East Asian cultures, including Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cook Tangyuan together</h3><p class='facts-text'>One of the main ways to celebrate Donghzi is by making and eating Tangyuan, round dumplings made of glutinous rice flour. Gather your family in the kitchen and enjoy making these little delights together. You can experiment with different fillings like black sesame, peanut butter or red bean paste.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create homemade decorations</h3><p class='facts-text'>Get into the festive spirit by creating your own Chinese-inspired decorations. Use traditional winter colors like white and blue to make paper lanterns, or try your hand at crafting intricate paper-cut designs to hang around your home.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Take a hot spring bath</h3><p class='facts-text'>A hot spring bath is a favorite activity during Dongzhi for its warmth and therapeutic benefits. Soak in a nearby hot spring spa with your loved ones, or if there's none nearby, a relaxing warm bath at home can suffice too!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a storytelling session</h3><p class='facts-text'>Bring everyone together in an evening and share stories about Dongzhi. It is a great way to pass on cultural traditions to younger generations while reminiscing the good old times with the elderly members.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Visit a winter lights festival</h3><p class='facts-text'>Celebrate the year's longest night by visiting a winter lights festival or any places adorned with beautiful displays of twinkling lights. It's a magical way to celebrate Dongzhi and the beauty of winter.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Dongzhi brings families together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the primary joys of Dongzhi is how it brings families together. This ancient tradition is still practiced widely and is centered around the warmth and love that comes from sharing time with loved ones. From cooking Tangyuan together to shared storytelling sessions, Dongzhi fosters a deep sense of togetherness within families.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Allows for creativity and artistic expression</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The holiday encourages everyone to get creative with crafting homemade decorations, such as traditional Chinese paper lanterns or intricate paper-cut designs. These activities not only offer a fun and productive way to pass time but also results in beautiful, personal decor that can be used to adorn your home and make the celebration feel even more special.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>The food is delicious</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>At the heart of the Dongzhi celebration is a feast of tantalizing dishes, such as Tangyuan, a type of sweet dumpling made from glutinous rice flour. These delectable treats, often filled with black sesame, peanut butter or red bean paste, are a highlight of the Dongzhi festivities and offer a festive culinary experience.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dongzhi Timing Aligns with the Solar Calendar</h3><p class='facts-content'>Contrary to being set on a specific date, Dongzhi festival takes place on the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year according to the solar calendar, usually on December 21 or 22.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dongzhi Plays a Significant Role in Traditional Chinese Medicine</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, core to traditional Chinese medicine, is intrinsically linked to Dongzhi. The festival is considered a time when yang, or positive energy begins to increase, marking an ideal time to nourish your body.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Red Bean Tangyuan are Used to Ward Off Evil</h3><p class='facts-content'>While tangyuan is a common delicacy during Dongzhi, red-bean-filled tangyuan are believed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, according to Chinese folklore.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Mutton Hot Pot is a Popular Dongzhi Dish in Northern China</h3><p class='facts-content'>Respective to regional variations, people in Northern China enjoy eating mutton hot pot during Dongzhi. This helps to warm up the body during the cold winter solstice.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dongzhi is a Time to Worship and Show Gratitude</h3><p class='facts-content'>Apart from feasting and family reunions, Dongzhi is also a time to worship ancestors and deities, and show gratitude for their blessings. This is considered important for welcoming good fortune and prosperity for the New Year.</p></div></div>
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