Winter Solstice Festival

As early as 2,500 years ago, about     1     Spring and Autumn Period, China decided the point of Winter Solstice by observing the movement of the sun. The time will be each December 21 or 22 according to the Gregorian calendar.

The Northern hemisphere on this day experiences the     2     (short) daytime and longest nighttime. As ancient Chinese thought, the yang, positive things, will become stronger and stronger after this day,     3     it should be celebrated.

The Winter Solstice became a festival during the Han Dynasty and thrived in the Tang and Song dynasties. The Han people     4     (regard) Winter Solstice as a "Winter Festival", so officials would organize celebrating     5     (active). On this day, both officials and common people would have a rest. In the Tang and Song dynasties, the Winter Solstice was a day to offer sacrifices (祭品) to Heaven and ancestors. The Qing Dynasty even had the record that "Winter Solstice is as formal as the Spring Festival",     6     (represent) the great importance attached to this day.

In some parts of Northern China, people eat dumplings,     7     will keep them from frost in the upcoming winter. But in parts of Southern China, the whole family will get together to have a special meal     8     (make) of red-bean and rice to drive away bad things. The Winter Solstice dumplings could     9     (use) as sacrifices to ancestors, or gifts for friends and relatives. People of the same family name gather together to honor their ancestors     10     age order. After the ceremony, there is always a big dinner.