Is the Winter Solstice the same as the Start of Winter?
Answer: The Start of Winter and the Winter Solstice are not the same solar terms. The Start of Winter is the first solar term of winter, while the Winter Solstice is the fourth solar term of winter.
The Start of Winter is the nineteenth solar term in the 24 solar terms. When the Start of Winter comes, the sun's ecliptic longitude is 225°, and the Chinese people regard this day as the beginning of winter. "Winter" means the end, referring to the end of agricultural activities during the year, and the meaning that crops have been harvested and stored away. The Start of Winter usually comes between November 7th and 8th each year.
The Winter Solstice is the fourth solar term of winter, and it usually occurs between December 21st and 23rd each year. The Winter Solstice is when the constellation points to Zi, and the sun's ecliptic longitude reaches 270°. It is one of the eight major seasonal festivals. In ancient times, there was a custom of worshiping ancestors and offering sacrifices during the "eight festivals." The Winter Solstice is regarded as a major festival in winter, and in folk tradition, it is said that "the Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year," so the ancients called the Winter Solstice "the second year" or "the small New Year."
The Start of Winter is the nineteenth solar term in the 24 solar terms. When the Start of Winter comes, the sun's ecliptic longitude is 225°, and the Chinese people regard this day as the beginning of winter. "Winter" means the end, referring to the end of agricultural activities during the year, and the meaning that crops have been harvested and stored away. The Start of Winter usually comes between November 7th and 8th each year.
The Winter Solstice is the fourth solar term of winter, and it usually occurs between December 21st and 23rd each year. The Winter Solstice is when the constellation points to Zi, and the sun's ecliptic longitude reaches 270°. It is one of the eight major seasonal festivals. In ancient times, there was a custom of worshiping ancestors and offering sacrifices during the "eight festivals." The Winter Solstice is regarded as a major festival in winter, and in folk tradition, it is said that "the Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year," so the ancients called the Winter Solstice "the second year" or "the small New Year."
Why can't people return to their parents' home on the Winter Solstice?
There is a saying: "If the Winter Solstice does not come, then it will bring death to the grandfather." This means that on the day of the Winter Solstice, married daughters cannot return to their parents' home for meals and must return to their husband's home. Otherwise, it would be very unlucky for the grandfather. Therefore, on the day of the Winter Solstice, married daughters must return to their husband's home.
In fact, this folk saying comes from the traditional customs of the past, where the feudal Confucian concept of "three obediences and four virtues" constrained the wives. In the past, wives would stay at their parents' home after the autumn harvest, hence the custom of returning to their husband's home on the Winter Solstice.
Although modern society no longer strictly follows these traditions, if family members still attach great importance to these traditional customs, as younger generations, we should communicate politely with them. The Winter Solstice is a time for family reunion, and we should not lose harmony with our family over such issues.
In fact, this folk saying comes from the traditional customs of the past, where the feudal Confucian concept of "three obediences and four virtues" constrained the wives. In the past, wives would stay at their parents' home after the autumn harvest, hence the custom of returning to their husband's home on the Winter Solstice.
Although modern society no longer strictly follows these traditions, if family members still attach great importance to these traditional customs, as younger generations, we should communicate politely with them. The Winter Solstice is a time for family reunion, and we should not lose harmony with our family over such issues.
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