The significance of eating glutinous rice balls on the winter solstice: eating glutinous rice balls on the winter solstice also means adding another year to your age.

The winter solstice is here. What should we eat during the winter solstice? In addition to eating dumplings in the north, people in the south also eat glutinous rice balls during the winter solstice. Why do we eat glutinous rice balls during the Winter Solstice? Let us learn about the significance of eating glutinous rice balls during the Winter Solstice.

Why do we eat glutinous rice balls during the winter solstice? The significance of eating glutinous rice balls

1. Traditional customs. Eating glutinous rice balls during the winter solstice is a traditional custom, especially in the southern region. According to historical records, there was a period of time in our history when the "Winter Solstice" was regarded as the "beginning of the year" and the night before the Winter Solstice was regarded as the "New Year's Eve".
2. Family reunion during the Winter Solstice. Eating glutinous rice balls during the winter solstice is also called "winter solstice dumplings". The round shape and sweet taste of the glutinous rice balls symbolize reunion, sweetness and happiness.

3. The winter solstice adds another year. Because the winter solstice is the day with the shortest day and the longest night in the year. Therefore, eating glutinous rice balls on the Winter Solstice not only means family reunion, but there is also a saying that "eating glutinous rice balls makes you one year older." People in the south especially like to eat glutinous rice balls to add to their age. There is a saying that goes: The sun rises during the winter solstice, and people grow taller by one needle a day.
4. Respect Heaven and worship ancestors. As mentioned earlier, the winter solstice is the day with the longest night in the year. A long time ago, on the day of the winter solstice, before dawn, women would get up, light a fire and cook glutinous rice balls, first to pay homage to the heavens and ancestors, and then the whole family would sit around and eat the dumplings. Therefore, eating glutinous rice balls during the winter solstice also means that the sun is gradually returning.