Dongzhi Festival
Dongzhi Festival, also known as the Winter Solstice Festival, marks the winter solstice and the return of longer daylight in East Asian cultures. Families gather to honor ancestors and enjoy traditional foods.
One of the oldest traditional festivals in East Asia with over 2,000 years of history. Dongzhi celebrates the balance of yin and yang as days begin to lengthen after the winter solstice. Customs include making and eating tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) in southern China and jiaozi (dumplings) in northern China to symbolize family unity and prosperity. Ancestral worship rituals are performed at temples and home altars. In Japan, the festival is called Toji, associated with yuzu baths for health, while in Korea, known as Dongji, red bean porridge (patjuk) is eaten to ward off evil. Across the region, the day promotes themes of renewal, harmony, and familial bonds.
Dongzhi Festival