Today's twitter seems pretty flooded with all the tangyuen tweets :) I guess not everyone knows what this festival/occasion is, haha. I wasn't really sure too, till I went to Google it.
The Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese: 冬至; pinyin: Dōngzhì; literally "the Extreme 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 when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest. It will occur on between December 21 to 23.
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.
Just two things;
1) I didn't know it happens every December 21, 22 or 23! It's like, a fixed date. Like Christmas!
2) Sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest. Pretttty cool!
I don't know if it's a coincidence or it really works but the sun is hiding behind some clouds today. Or is it because it looks like it's going to rain. Oh well!
Time flies, I remember my December 22 last year. I was in Taiwan - Nantou (南投) to be exact! :) Stayed in this hotel called EinHan Resort. It's reallly cosy and pretty! Claimed to be the only hotel with the style of Bali Island in that area, we totally loved it there! Anyway, we had dinner at this family-run restaurant and by the time we were about to leave the restaurant, it was nearly 9pm or so. The family called us back and served us a bowl of tangyuen each! :) I think theirs were home-made because it tasted superrrrr duperrrrrr good! (Y) The tangyuens had my sister and I asking for more! The family was so cute, warm and hospitable! :) One thing I totally love about most people in Taiwan! But yeah, unknowingly, we spent our Dongzhi in Taiwan last year :) It was nice, slightly different from Singapore because not all families consume tangyuen(s). I miss Taiwan! :(
On a brighter note, I'm going Taiwan (again, for the 3rd time!) next March :)
Just a random post, I just miss Taiwan so much!
Christmas shoppping for today, ciao!