The concept of the winter solstice has deep roots in Eastern culture, with ancient astronomers marking it as one of the most significant times of the year. Let’s delve into the significance of this event and explore the traditions associated with it.
1. Understanding the Winter Solstice
What is the Winter Solstice?
The winter solstice holds a special place in the ancient Chinese calendar. According to their agricultural calendar, a year consists of four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, with eight distinct solar terms: Lichun, Chunfen, Lixia, Xiazhi, Liqiu, Qiufen, Lidong, and Dongzhi.
According to Wikipedia, the winter solstice occurs around December 21 or 22, marking the end of the Daxue period, and concludes around January 5 or 6 in the Gregorian calendar for East Asian time zones, as the Xiaohan period commences.
In Western astronomy, the winter solstice signifies the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
What is the Winter Solstice?
The Significance of the Winter Solstice
The winter solstice is a period of dormancy and preservation for all living creatures as they prepare for the upcoming season of growth and reproduction.
In Eastern culture, particularly in China, the winter solstice holds cultural significance and is considered an important festival dating back centuries.
Additionally, the winter solstice plays a crucial role in determining the Chinese New Year and the leap month in the Chinese calendar. Traditional foods are prepared and consumed to celebrate this occasion.
Depending on regional customs, the menu varies across China. In Northern China, people often eat jiaozi (dumplings) or yangguo (a type of stew), while in the south, tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) or “floating balls” are more common.
Today, while many of these traditions have been simplified, some regions in China still uphold these cultural practices. In Vietnam, a few families continue the tradition of gathering and sharing a meal during the winter solstice.
In Western culture, the winter solstice coincides with the beginning of the Christmas season, holding significant importance for Christians as it marks a new temporal milestone.
Significance of the Winter Solstice
2. When is the Winter Solstice in 2022?
The winter solstice, marking the midpoint of winter, falls on December 22, 2022 (Thursday), and concludes on January 5 or 6 in the Gregorian calendar.
In the lunar calendar, the winter solstice of 2022 corresponds to November 29, 2022, which is the day of Ji Dậu, the month of Nhâm Tý, and the year of Nhâm Dần.
Winter Solstice in 2022
3. Auspicious Timing for the Winter Solstice in 2022
Auspicious and Inauspicious Hours
The auspicious hours, or golden hours, for the winter solstice in 2022, are as follows: Hour of the Rat (23:00-0:59), Hour of the Tiger (3:00-4:59), Hour of the Rabbit (5:00-6:59), Hour of the Horse (11:00-13:59), Hour of the Goat (13:00-15:59), and Hour of the Rooster (17:00-19:59).
On the other hand, the inauspicious hours, or dark hours, are: Hour of the Ox (1:00-2:59), Hour of the Dragon (7:00-9:59), Hour of the Snake (9:00-11:59), Hour of the Monkey (15:00-17:59), Hour of the Dog (19:00-21:59), and Hour of the Pig (21:00-23:59).
Auspicious and Inauspicious Hours
Auspicious Departure Times
Knowing the auspicious departure times can help you choose the best moment to step out and attract good fortune. Here are the auspicious departure times for the winter solstice:
- 3 am – 5 am: Brings happiness and good luck. Favorable for business and travel, with harmonious family relationships and improved health.
- 7 am – 9 am: Smooth sailing in all endeavors. Seek financial gains by traveling west or south. Peace and prosperity at home.
- 9 am – 11 am: Good news is on the way. Seek financial gains by traveling south. Favorable for livestock farming, with positive news for travelers.
- 3 pm – 5 pm: Brings good luck to travelers. Smooth sailing in both personal and professional pursuits. Favorable for business, with improved health for family members.
- 7 pm – 9 pm: All undertakings are blessed with success. Peace and prosperity at home, with signs of good fortune.
- 9 pm – 11 pm: Happiness and good luck in relationships. Favorable for travelers, with positive news upon their return.
Auspicious Departure Times
Dos and Don’ts for the Winter Solstice
Recommended Activities for the Winter Solstice:
Eat Tangyuan: Consuming these glutinous rice balls is believed to bring good luck to family members. Red or pink tangyuan symbolize love and relationships, while white ones represent destiny. It is also considered auspicious to eat an even number of tangyuan to avoid bad luck.
Buy New Clothes and Shoes: This tradition fosters stronger bonds between parents and children, leading to a harmonious and prosperous family life.
Worship Ancestors: As the winter solstice marks a period of abundant yang energy, paying respects to the gods and ancestors is believed to bring good fortune to the family.
Recommended Activities for the Winter Solstice
Activities to Avoid During the Winter Solstice:
Marriage: The winter solstice is a period of cosmic transition, with yin and yang energies in flux. Marriages during this time are believed to bring bad luck, leading to marital disharmony and frequent arguments.
Intimate Relations: As the winter solstice is a time of yang dominance, with male energy (yang) exceeding female energy (yin), intimate relations are believed to be unfavorable. This imbalance is thought to impact both financial luck and the mental well-being of the couple.
Arguments: With yang energy at its peak, family harmony is vulnerable to negative influences. Arguments during this period can strain relationships and lead to lasting damage.
Travel: As the winter solstice brings longer nights, traveling long distances can invite misfortune. Instead, it is advisable to rest and prepare for the upcoming new phase.
Activities to Avoid During the Winter Solstice
We hope that this article has provided you with valuable insights into the winter solstice and the traditions associated with it. May you find harmony and good fortune as you embrace the changing seasons!
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