Winter Solstice冬至

The shortest day of the year, when yang begins to return.

When
A solar term, around 22 December
冬至

十一月冬至。京師最重此節。

Dong Jing Meng Hua Lu

What it is

This is the moment when yin peaks and yang starts to grow. Old calendars counted from it, and the Cold Food days were reckoned from this date.

Song dynasty Kaifeng held it in high honour, with new clothes, feasts and offerings to ancestors.

Coming dates

Worked out from the lunar calendar in China time.

  1. 2026Tue 22 December
  2. 2027Wed 22 December
  3. 2028Thu 21 December
  4. 2029Fri 21 December
  5. 2030Sun 22 December

Sources Jing Chu Sui Shi Ji; Dong Jing Meng Hua Lu; Yan Jing Sui Shi Ji.