Winter solstice a time for reunion
Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.
After the winter solstice, days will gradually get longer and nights shorter. People across the world have different traditions to celebrate this day.
In the past in Europe, this day was known as Yule, a celebration of light and rebirth of the sun. To the Romans, it was known as Saturnalia.
For ancient societies, the winter solstice was a mysterious natural phenomenon represent ing the death of the old year and the birth of the new.
Many winter solstice traditions have been incorporated into Christian culture such as hanging ornaments on a tree, eating sweets, processions, giving gifts, singing carols and burning the Yule log.
Burning the log was probably the oldest Yule tradition. After the log was burned, ashes were gathered and scattered through the fields for fertility in the coming year.
To the Chinese, dong zhi, which means the arrival of winter, is a time of reunion considered more significant than the new year.
In agricultural societies, it is time to store the harvest and relax for a winter holiday. All the family go home and share dinner together that night.
In ancient times, dong zhi was also known as 'a little new year's day'.
People cooked tang yuan, glutinous rice balls, symbolising reunion, harmony and happiness. According to traditional Chinese customs, one was supposed to eat the same number of rice balls as one's age.
