Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang

The Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese: 冬至; pinyin: Dōngzhì; literally: “the arrival of winter”) is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dongzhi solar term (winter solstice) on or around December 22 (according to East Asia time).

The origins of this festival can be traced back to the yin and yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. After this celebration, there will be days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in. The philosophical significance of this is symbolized by the I Ching hexagram fù (復, “Returning”).

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.

Traditional activities

Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get-togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of tangyuan (湯圓) or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large tangyuan in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savory broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl. It is also often served with a mildly alcoholic unfiltered rice wine containing whole grains of glutinous rice (and often also Sweet Osmanthus flowers), called jiuniang. 

 

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.

Tung Chek ( Dongzhi or Winter Solstice ) was celebrated at Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi, Penang today – Wednesday, 21 December, 2016. I was selected to be the Urn Keeper (Lor Choo) for 2017.