What is Dongzhi? 

Dongzhi, which translates to ‘Winter’s Arrival,’ is a traditional holiday in China that occurs on the Winter Solstice. During this time, families gather to honor their ancestors and eat a variety of traditional foods. It began as a holiday during the Han Dynasty, during the longest night and shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere. It is celebrated by many cultures. Some even say it is more important than Chinese New Year!

When is Dongzhi? 

The occasion is traditionally celebrated on December 20th or 21st, when the northern hemisphere has its longest night and shortest day.

What happens on Dongzhi? 

Dongzhi includes a variety of activities such as honoring heaven and ancestors, reciting the Nines of Winter, brewing rice wine, and eating dumplings and ginger rice. Chinese culture believes that short days lack Yang energy, so they eat warm, yang foods like tangyuan during Dongzhi to counteract the cold winter days and counter the yin energy. It also involves honoring ancestors with incense burners and presenting delicacies such as dumplings, steamed chicken, or fried pig. Residents in eastern China also bring food and incense to their ancestors’ tombs to pay their respects and sweep them. The Dongzhi festival has no clothing traditions but many young people dressed in Hanfu, Han Dynasty-style costumes, as seen on the streets of China at the Winter Solstice. 

Sources: 

https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/winter-solstice.htm

https://mandarinmatrix.org/winter-solstice-festival-dongzhi/