冬至大如年 ("Dongzhi is as big as New Year") — historically treated almost as a second Lunar New Year. Northerners eat 饺子 (the dumpling shape supposedly wards off frostbitten ears), southerners eat 汤圆 (glutinous rice balls, symbolizing family reunion).
culture
Marks the start of 数九 (shǔ jiǔ), the traditional 81-day count of the coldest winter period, with each set of nine days called 一九, 二九, etc.
