Dōngzhì Festival (Winter Solstice)

Written By David Roberts IV
During the Dongzhi Festival in Taiwan, people traditionally make tangyuan (湯圓, soup dumplings), which are balls of glutinous rice boiled in a sweet soup, to symbolize reunion, completeness, and their consumption ensures a smooth and peaceful new year. However, few are aware that, in addition to the Ghost Festival observed during the 7th lunar month, Dongzhi is also known as "Ghost Festival," and there are certain taboos that must be observed on this short day and long night, so as to not anger or disturb the ghost wandering Some of these taboos include: There is an old saying, "When Dongzhi comes, gods leave and ghosts arrive." It implies that people can give offerings to ancestors and ghosts on Dongzhi to pray for the elimination of epidemics and the reduction of hunger in times of famine. In addition, Donzhi is the shortest day and the longest night, therefore Yin energy is heavy.Married women cannot go to their mother’s home: There is a custom that married women cannot go to their mother's home on Dongzhi for fear of bringing misfortune to her parents-in-law.People should avoid staying up late: Late at night people’s Yang energy is weakest, and Yin energy is the strongest.Do not eat odd numbers of tangyuan: Eating tangyuan signifies reunions and longevity. The traditional red and white dumplings can also attract marriage and popularity. However, when eating tangyuan, they must be eaten in even numbers and not odd ones to have their desired effect on good fortune.Do not argue or complain, especially with family on this day: Dongzhi is a period when Yin and Yang energies change, causing relationships between men and women to become more complex. It is suggested that couples avoid disputes during this period and also avoid asking for money, getting engaged, or getting married on this day.It is a good day to: Buy new shoes and socks. Worship ancestors.Offer uncooked tangyuan to the Gods.Place tangyuan at the head of the bed, to pray for a successful new year.Eat tangyuan, but don’t forget, to eat them in even numbers.

During the Dongzhi Festival in Taiwan, people traditionally make tangyuan (湯圓, soup dumplings), which are balls of glutinous rice boiled in a sweet soup, to symbolize reunion, completeness, and their consumption ensures a smooth and peaceful new year. However, few are aware that, in addition to the Ghost Festival observed during the 7th lunar month, Dongzhi is also known as "Ghost Festival," and there are certain taboos that must be observed on this short day and long night, so as to not anger or disturb the ghost wandering

Some of these taboos include:

  1. There is an old saying, "When Dongzhi comes, gods leave and ghosts arrive." It implies that people can give offerings to ancestors and ghosts on Dongzhi to pray for the elimination of epidemics and the reduction of hunger in times of famine. In addition, Donzhi is the shortest day and the longest night, therefore Yin energy is heavy.

  2. Married women cannot go to their mother’s home: There is a custom that married women cannot go to their mother's home on Dongzhi for fear of bringing misfortune to her parents-in-law.

  3. People should avoid staying up late: Late at night people’s Yang energy is weakest, and Yin energy is the strongest.

  4. Do not eat odd numbers of tangyuan: Eating tangyuan signifies reunions and longevity. The traditional red and white dumplings can also attract marriage and popularity. However, when eating tangyuan, they must be eaten in even numbers and not odd ones to have their desired effect on good fortune.

  5. Do not argue or complain, especially with family on this day: Dongzhi is a period when Yin and Yang energies change, causing relationships between men and women to become more complex. It is suggested that couples avoid disputes during this period and also avoid asking for money, getting engaged, or getting married on this day.

It is a good day to:

  1. Buy new shoes and socks.

  2. Worship ancestors.

  3. Offer uncooked tangyuan to the Gods.

  4. Place tangyuan at the head of the bed, to pray for a successful new year.

  5. Eat tangyuan, but don’t forget, to eat them in even numbers.

Dōngzhì Festival is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.

David Roberts IV
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