The first snow of 2021 in Forbidden City. Beijing, China

Since time immemorial and right up until the modern industrial revolution, agriculture was the foundation on which human civilization was based. Consequently, the winter solstice was immensely important as farming communities were so dependent on monitoring the progress of the seasons.

Dongzhi (冬至), which means “winter's extremity” or winter solstice in Chinese, is a traditional festival in East Asia. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around the 21st of December and ends in early January.

In China, the ancients used the concept of complementary opposites, “Yin and Yang”, to explain this mid-winter sign of hope that conditions would begin to generally improve from then onwards: “Yin begins to recede, Yang gradually rises”. The winter solstice was seen as the crux of this transition between the power of Yin and Yang. As in agricultural societies the world over, longer hours of light mean more time for crop growth. So this day, when sunlight begins to overcome the dark and Yang slowly begins to "overcome" Yin, was of great importance.

Even today, in many areas of China, people still gather to share a special meal or to visit the graves of their ancestors at Dongzhi. The winter solstice is observed with a family reunion over the long night and the eating of particular foods. Traditionally these are Tangyuan – sticky rice balls - in southern China, and Jiaozi – Chinese dumplings – in the North. Both dishes symbolize family unity and prosperity as the new growing season approaches.

While the New Year or Spring Festival is undoubtedly the major festival in the Chinese world, there is a proverb which says that “Dongzhi is as important as the New Year” (冬至大如年). Perhaps for this reason, when the legendary Chinese language newspaper Shen Bao (Shanghai News) began to introduce European culture to the Chinese people in the 19th century, it referred to Christmas as "the foreign Dongzhi”, although it is now usually known as Shengdanjie (圣诞节).

Curiously, like China, Sweden also has two celebrations of the winter solstice. Santa Lucia brings her candles of light and hope on December the 13th, which used to be the longest night of the year in the old Julian calendar. Shortly afterwards of course comes Christmas, a Christian festival certainly, but leaning heavily on the old pagan Yule/Jul to celebrate the winter solstice. 

Likewise in Sweden, also an agricultural society until relatively recent times, the coming of longer days was also of great significance to those enduring the darkness and cold of a harsh northern winter. And naturally, to balance the “Yin” of Yule/Jul - what better than the “Yang’’ of Midsommar, when Swedes overdose on light!?

Historic Villages of Shirakawa, Japan

Hågadalen-Nåsten, Uppsala, Sweden

Back in China, over the past 150 years the degree to which Christmas has been celebrated has, like Yin and Yang, ebbed and flowed. Today however, most people, especially the younger generation, are happy to embrace Christmas as an opportunity to have fun, reunite and even give gifts - although the actual understanding of what it’s all about might be a little hazy! But an economy that provides most of the decorations, lights and Santa suits sold in the western world is surely entitled to have some fun at Christmas!

And now that commercialisation had reared its ugly head - to mark this festival season, don’t forget that Yocha Studio’s biggest sale continues throughout – 20% off our entire range of products! In addition, we’ve also launched our new Gift Card and the facility to pay through Klarna.

Whether it’s Dongzhi, Christmas, Luciadagen (or even better all three!) we here at Yocha Studio would like to wish our customers, the very best for you and your families at this special time of year. Remember you can find out a little more about us here. So, no matter where we come from, where we find ourselves or who we are – let’s use this time to and pass on love and greetings to those who mean most to us. It doesn’t matter if you say God Jul, Shengdan Kuaile or Merry Christmas – just make sure you really mean it!

Yocha Studio