Winter Solstice Festival 

20 Dec 2017

The winter solstice is upon us, the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the first day of the astronomical winter although meteorologists say winter starts on December 1.

In Hong Kong, like many parts of the world, it’s a special time and certain festivities have become customary. Underpinning everything is the core concept of yin and yang which best translates to balance and harmony in life. It is both the shortest day and the longest night of the year, and it’s reversed in the Southern Hemisphere – so yin and yang definitely come into play in many ways. 

In the best Hong Kong tradition, locals typically celebrate with a lavish meal with their family. One particular dish, characteristic of the Solstice is tangyuan, a delicious, hot, sweet soup containing sticky rice balls. It’s a perfect balance for the cooler weather you can expect. Tangyuan sounds like the word for reunion, and so it’s a great time to catch up with family, friends and loved ones. 

We hope you enjoy the Winter Solstice, and try tangyuan if you get the opportunity!