Taiwan celebrates Winter Solstice

台灣慶祝冬至

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Many people across Taiwan marked the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, by observing traditional folk customs that range from eating glutinous rice balls to crafting symbolic offerings, reflecting the island’s rich cultural diversity.

A common practice is eating “tangyuan” (湯圓), glutinous rice balls, believed in folk tradition to bring good fortune and symbolically add a year to one’s life. The rice balls are typically served sweet, though regional variations are common, per CNA.

Among Hakka communities, the Winter Solstice is traditionally observed with a bowl of savory tangyuan cooked in broth with dried shrimp, shredded pork and other ingredients, alongside red and white unfilled rice balls.

On the outlying island of Penghu, the festival is marked by a distinctive custom that dates back hundreds of years. Residents shape glutinous rice dough into figures of cows, pigs and dogs, representing three sacrificial animals.

Another local tradition involves wrapping glutinous rice flour skin around savory or sweet fillings to form oval shapes resembling small boats with folded masts, symbolizing the end of the winter fishing season.

Nutritionists caution that tangyuan are made from glutinous rice flour and are calorie-dense. About 20 small red and white unfilled rice balls contain calories equivalent to half a bowl of white rice, while two filled tangyuan can reach a similar calorie count, making portion control important.

They also warn that the sticky texture of glutinous rice balls can make them difficult to chew and digest, particularly for children and the elderly, potentially causing bloating, acid reflux or choking.

Some people believe Winter Solstice weather can be used to predict conditions during the Lunar New Year, with folk sayings suggesting that a cloudy solstice signals sunny Lunar New Year weather, and vice versa. However, the Central Weather Administration has said that comparisons with historical weather records show such proverbs do not always hold true.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Peng Wen-ya (彭溫雅) said the Winter Solstice marks the peak of yin energy, with yang energy beginning to rise. She said eating warming and nourishing foods can help support the body, leading many people to choose dishes such as mutton hot pot, ginger duck and other nutritious soups.

Peng cautioned that modern diets are often overly rich, which can lead to issues such as mouth ulcers, acne and hemorrhoids. She recommended gentler nourishment, including soups made with ginger, goji berries and water chestnuts.

She also advised eating more mushrooms, which are rich in polysaccharides, amino acids and dietary fiber that can help boost immunity and reduce the risk of catching colds.

Peng added that people prone to cold hands and feet or with weaker constitutions can benefit from light outdoor exercise on the Winter Solstice, but should take care to keep their feet warm by wearing thick socks and avoiding clothing that leaves the lower body exposed to cold.