Dongzhi

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Solar term

Longi- tude	Term	Calendar
Spring
315°	Lichun	Feb.4-5
330°	Yushui	Feb.4-19
345°	Jingzhe	Mar. 5-6
0°	Chunfen	Mar.20-21
15°	Qingming	Apr.4-5
30°	Guyu	Apr.20-21
Summer
45°	Lixia	May 5-6
60°	Xiaoman	May 21-22
75°	Mangzhong	Jun.5-6
90°	Xiazhi	Jun.5-22
105°	Xiaoshu	Jul.7-8
120°	Dashu	Jul.22-23
Autumn
135°	Liqiu	Aug.7-8
150°	Chushu	Aug.23-24
165°	Bailu	Sep.7-8
180°	Qiufen	Sep.7-24
195°	Hanlu	Oct.8-9
210°	Shuangjiang	Oct.23-24
Winter
225°	Lidong	Nov.7-8
240°	Xiaoxue	Nov.22-23
255°	Daxue	Dec.7-8
270°	Dongzhi	Dec.21-22
285°	Xiaohan	Jan.5-6
300°	Dahan	Jan.20-21

The traditional East Asian calendars divide a year into 24 solar terms (節氣). Dōngzhì (pīnyīn) or Tōji (rōmaji) (Chinese and Japanese: 冬至; Korean: 동지; Vietnamese: Đông chí; literally: "winter solstice") is the 22^nd solar term. It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 270° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 285°. It more often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 270°. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around December 21 (December 22 East Asia time) and ends around January 5.

In China, Dongzhi was originally celebrated as an end-of-harvest festival. Today, it is observed with a family reunion over the long night, when pink and white tangyuan are eaten in sweet broth to symbolise family unity and prosperity.

[edit] See also

• Dōngzhì Festival
• Winter solstice