Winter Solstice, the 22nd solar term of the year in the Chinese lunar calendar, marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year. It's a time when families gather together, sharing warm meals like dumplings and rice cakes, to celebrate the turn of the season and welcome the gradual return of sunlight. This traditional festival embodies the harmony between nature and humanity, reminding us to cherish our loved ones and embrace the promise of renewal.

Eating Dumplings in northern China, eating Tangyuan in southern China: In northern China, dumplings are a must-have dish during the lunar Dongzhi. In southern regions, it is customary to eat Tangyuan, which symbolize reunion and completeness; this practice is also known as "Dongzhi Tuan".

Shujiu, or "Counting the Nines of Winter": This tradition begins the day after Dongzhi. Counting nine days marks the first "nine," followed by another nine days for the second "nine", and so on, until reaching the ninth "nine," which occurs 81 days after Dongzhi, indicating that the weather is starting to warm up.

Happy Winter Solstice!