冬至

冬至是中国传统的节日之一，通常发生在每年12月21日或22日，这一天是北半球白昼最短、黑夜最长的一天。

**The Winter Solstice is one of the traditional festivals in China, typically occurring on December 21st or 22nd each year. This day marks the shortest daylight and the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere.**

冬至自古以来被视为二十四节气中的重要节气之一，标志着寒冷季节的到来，也象征着新一轮生命的开始。

The Winter Solstice has been regarded since ancient times as one of the important solar terms in the twenty-four solar terms, signifying the arrival of the cold season and symbolizing the beginning of a new cycle of life.

根据中国传统文化，冬至不仅是自然节令的变化，也蕴含着深厚的文化意义，尤其与家族团聚和饮食习惯密切相关。

**According to traditional Chinese culture, the Winter Solstice is not only a change of natural seasons but also carries profound cultural significance, especially in relation to family reunions and dietary habits.**

冬至节气的起源可追溯到古代人们对自然规律的观察。

The origin of the Winter Solstice can be traced back to ancient people's observations of natural laws.

中国古代天文学家发现，这一天太阳的高度角最低，白昼最短，夜晚最长。

Ancient Chinese astronomers discovered that on this day, the sun's elevation angle is at its lowest, resulting in the shortest daytime and the longest night.

由于此时阳气逐渐回升，古人认为这是“阴极之至，阳气始生”的时刻，因此冬至被视为阴阳交替的重要节点，也成为了人们对自然规律和宇宙变化的一种庆祝。

**Due to the gradual rise of yang energy during this time, the ancients believed it was the moment when “yin reaches its extreme, and yang begins to be born,” therefore, the Winter Solstice is viewed as a critical point for the alternation of yin and yang, celebrated by people as a recognition of natural laws and cosmic changes.**

在古代，冬至节日有着非常重要的地位，被誉为“冬节”，有“冬至大如年”的说法，意味着冬至是一个比春节还要重要的节日。

In ancient times, the Winter Solstice held significant status, referred to as the "Winter Festival," with the saying "the Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year," indicating that it was an even more important festival than the Spring Festival.

人们相信，冬至过后阳气逐渐回升，生命力得到复苏，因此这一天不仅是对自然变化的庆祝，也有着驱寒避邪、祈求来年平安的意义。

**People believed that after the Winter Solstice, the rise of yang energy would gradually revive life, making this day a celebration of natural changes as well as a means to dispel cold and evil spirits and pray for safety in the coming year.**

在传统习俗方面，冬至有几个重要的活动。最为人知的就是吃饺子。

In terms of traditional customs, there are several important activities associated with the Winter Solstice. The most well-known is eating dumplings.

这一天，特别是在北方，家家户户都会包饺子，象征着“更岁交子”，即迎接新一年的到来。

On this day, especially in the north, every household will make dumplings, symbolizing the "changing of the year," or welcoming the arrival of the new year.

饺子的形状像耳朵，传说吃饺子可以预防冻耳朵，因此冬至吃饺子也有着祈求健康、驱寒避邪的意义。

**Dumplings resemble ears, and there is a legend that eating dumplings can prevent frostbite on the ears, hence, eating dumplings during the Winter Solstice also carries the significance of wishing for health and warding off cold and evil spirits.**

南方地区有些地方则习惯吃汤圆，寓意团圆和幸福。

In some southern regions, people are accustomed to eating tangyuan, symbolizing reunion and happiness.

除了吃饺子和汤圆，冬至还有着其他丰富的习俗。

**Apart from eating dumplings and tangyuan, the Winter Solstice is rich in other customs.**

例如，在一些地方，家庭会聚集在一起，享受一顿丰盛的团圆饭，彼此分享一年中的收获和心愿。

For example, in some places, families gather together to enjoy a lavish reunion dinner, sharing their harvests and wishes from the past year.

部分地区还会举行祭祖活动，祭祀先人，表达对祖先的敬意与思念。

Some regions also hold ancestor worship activities to pay respects to their ancestors and express their thoughts and gratitude.

冬至也是一个重要的节气养生时机。根据中医理论，冬至是冬季养生的关键时刻。

**The Winter Solstice is also an important time for health maintenance related to the solar term. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the Winter Solstice is a critical moment for winter wellness.**

人们会在这一天进行一些适合寒冷天气的养生活动，如食补、泡脚、按摩等，帮助身体更好地适应寒冷的环境。

On this day, people engage in health activities suitable for the cold weather, such as dietary supplements, foot baths, and massages, to help their bodies better adapt to the cold environment.

古人提倡在冬至时节加强保暖，适当进补，养护肾脏和血液循环，以应对接下来的寒冷天气。

**Ancient people advocated for increased warmth, appropriate nutritional supplements, and the care of the kidneys and blood circulation during the Winter Solstice, to cope with the upcoming cold weather.**