Are the Winter Solstice and the Start of Winter on the same day?
Answer: The Winter Solstice and the Start of Winter are not on the same day, but are two different seasonal terms.
One, the Seasonal Term of the Winter Solstice
It is the fourth seasonal term of winter, which occurs around December 22nd every year. It is also called "the first day of the nine", "Winter Festival", "Longest Day", or "Subsiding Year". It represents the exchange of Yin and Yang, the death of all things, and the closure of vitality. The Winter Solstice is one of the eight major festivals of the year. In ancient times, there was a custom of worshipping deities and ancestors during the "eight festivals". The Winter Solstice is regarded as a major festival in winter, and there is a saying in folk culture that "the Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year".
The Winter Solstice was historically known as "short day" or "the shortest day". According to the "Book of Changes", the ancient kings would close the gates on the day of the solstice, and merchants would not travel. According to Chen Zhizhi's "Zai Jing Tang Ji": "When autumn ends, the day becomes shorter, and when spring begins, the day becomes longer." Also, it is said that at the Winter Solstice, the sun reaches its southernmost point, the day is the shortest, and the shadow is the longest.
Two, the Seasonal Term of the Start of Winter
It is the first seasonal term of winter and one of the four "beginnings" (the other three being the Start of Spring, the Start of Summer, and the Start of Autumn). In the Minzhong region, the Start of Winter is called "Jiaodong", meaning the transition between autumn and winter. The phrase "nourishing the winter" refers to the tradition of eating warm food during this time. In the Chaoshan area of Guangdong, people eat sugarcane and fried rice on the Start of Winter. In Shantou, people eat fragrant rice made with lotus seeds, mushrooms, chestnuts, shrimp, and carrots, which are all warm foods. In the north, the tradition on the Start of Winter is to eat dumplings because they resemble ears, and people believe that eating them will prevent their ears from getting frostbitten in winter.
One, the Seasonal Term of the Winter Solstice
It is the fourth seasonal term of winter, which occurs around December 22nd every year. It is also called "the first day of the nine", "Winter Festival", "Longest Day", or "Subsiding Year". It represents the exchange of Yin and Yang, the death of all things, and the closure of vitality. The Winter Solstice is one of the eight major festivals of the year. In ancient times, there was a custom of worshipping deities and ancestors during the "eight festivals". The Winter Solstice is regarded as a major festival in winter, and there is a saying in folk culture that "the Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year".
The Winter Solstice was historically known as "short day" or "the shortest day". According to the "Book of Changes", the ancient kings would close the gates on the day of the solstice, and merchants would not travel. According to Chen Zhizhi's "Zai Jing Tang Ji": "When autumn ends, the day becomes shorter, and when spring begins, the day becomes longer." Also, it is said that at the Winter Solstice, the sun reaches its southernmost point, the day is the shortest, and the shadow is the longest.
Two, the Seasonal Term of the Start of Winter
It is the first seasonal term of winter and one of the four "beginnings" (the other three being the Start of Spring, the Start of Summer, and the Start of Autumn). In the Minzhong region, the Start of Winter is called "Jiaodong", meaning the transition between autumn and winter. The phrase "nourishing the winter" refers to the tradition of eating warm food during this time. In the Chaoshan area of Guangdong, people eat sugarcane and fried rice on the Start of Winter. In Shantou, people eat fragrant rice made with lotus seeds, mushrooms, chestnuts, shrimp, and carrots, which are all warm foods. In the north, the tradition on the Start of Winter is to eat dumplings because they resemble ears, and people believe that eating them will prevent their ears from getting frostbitten in winter.
What does "Winter Solstice gives birth to Yang" mean?
"Winter Solstice gives birth to Yang" means that Yin reaches its peak, and Yang begins to arise. The sun reaches its southernmost point, the day is the shortest, and the shadow is the longest, hence it is called "Winter Solstice."
In the field of health preservation, the Winter Solstice is one of the most important seasonal terms, mainly because of the concept of "Winter Solstice gives birth to Yang". From the Winter Solstice to the Minor Cold and Major Cold, it is the coldest period of the year. People suffering from heart disease and hypertension often experience worsened conditions, and cases of "stroke" increase. Cold weather can also easily lead to frostbite.
Therefore, for patients with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and coronary heart disease, extra caution is needed during the cold season to prevent episodes.
During the four days before and after the Winter Solstice, plus the day of the Winter Solstice itself, a total of nine days, one can use moxibustion on the Shenque acupoint (the navel) for health preservation. Light the moxa stick and熏灼 (burn) the area around the navel. Be careful not to burn the skin, and just feel a warm sensation. Do this once a day for 15-20 minutes each time.
The Shenque acupoint is considered the origin of the five internal organs and six腑 (organs), and it is the location where the Ren and Chong meridians pass through. It is the root where the original qi is stored, and it is an essential acupoint connecting the innate and acquired aspects of the body. Moxibustion on the Shenque acupoint can replenish yang energy, warm the kidneys and spleen, expel wind and dampness, warm the body, promote circulation, and regulate the flow of qi and blood, which is very beneficial to the body and may even reduce illness in the following year.
In the field of health preservation, the Winter Solstice is one of the most important seasonal terms, mainly because of the concept of "Winter Solstice gives birth to Yang". From the Winter Solstice to the Minor Cold and Major Cold, it is the coldest period of the year. People suffering from heart disease and hypertension often experience worsened conditions, and cases of "stroke" increase. Cold weather can also easily lead to frostbite.
Therefore, for patients with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and coronary heart disease, extra caution is needed during the cold season to prevent episodes.
During the four days before and after the Winter Solstice, plus the day of the Winter Solstice itself, a total of nine days, one can use moxibustion on the Shenque acupoint (the navel) for health preservation. Light the moxa stick and熏灼 (burn) the area around the navel. Be careful not to burn the skin, and just feel a warm sensation. Do this once a day for 15-20 minutes each time.
The Shenque acupoint is considered the origin of the five internal organs and six腑 (organs), and it is the location where the Ren and Chong meridians pass through. It is the root where the original qi is stored, and it is an essential acupoint connecting the innate and acquired aspects of the body. Moxibustion on the Shenque acupoint can replenish yang energy, warm the kidneys and spleen, expel wind and dampness, warm the body, promote circulation, and regulate the flow of qi and blood, which is very beneficial to the body and may even reduce illness in the following year.
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