Dongji has the longest night and shortest day of the year. From this day the daylight lengthens again, so it was seen as a "little New Year."
Dongji, around December 22, has the longest night. Because the sun lengthens again afterward, people of old treated it almost like the start of a new year (Ase).
The cold heads toward its peak, yet the daylight grows little by little. As they said, "Past Dongji, even the greens feel new."
The signature custom is making red-bean porridge to ward off misfortune, eating rice-ball dumplings equal to one's age. People shared calendars and wrapped up the year.
Ward off bad luck with Dongji red-bean porridge
Rest well through the long night
Reflect on the year and plan the next
Keep warm against the peak cold
Adjacent terms:
Winter Solstice is the 22th of the 24 solar terms, falling around around December 22. The longest night. The day for red-bean porridge, long seen as a "little New Year."
Dongji has the longest night and shortest day of the year. From this day the daylight lengthens again, so it was seen as a "little New Year."
Ward off bad luck with Dongji red-bean porridge Rest well through the long night Reflect on the year and plan the next Keep warm against the peak cold