? 冬至：Winter Solstice

“solstice”這個詞我們不太看到，因為它的意思很特別，表示“the time of either the longest day in the year (about June 22) or the shortest day in the year (about December 22)”。這么看來，這個詞的用武之地似乎局限性很大了?；旧弦簿陀迷凇癢inter Solstice”(冬至)以及“Summer Solstice”(夏至)之處。

? 冬至這天有啥傳統習俗?

Winter Solstice is 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 or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion.

冬至是家族團聚的一天。在這天，中國南方的家庭會包湯圓、吃湯圓，以象征團圓的意思。不過在中國北方，似乎更多的人會吃餃子。比如說會有“冬至到，吃水餃”這樣的諺語。

? 中國人為什么比較重視冬至?

其實，但從中國文化方面講，“冬至”這個日子還可以翻譯成“Dongzhi Festival”，中國人為什么都比較重視這個節氣呢?

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.

原來還是和“陰陽”相關啊。人們認為，過了這一天，白晝一天比一天長了，是一個節氣循環的開始，“陽”氣逐漸回升，因此也算是個吉利的日子啦。