The winter solstice festival originated in the Han Dynasty and flourished in the Tang and Song dynasties. "Qing Jialu" even has the saying that "the winter solstice is as big as the year." This shows that the ancients attached great importance to the winter solstice. People think that the winter solstice is a natural transformation of Yin and Yang, and it is a blessing given by heaven.
The Han Dynasty used the winter solstice as the "winter festival," and the official government held a congratulatory ceremony called "Hedong" and had a routine holiday. There is such a record in the Later Han Dynasty: "Before and after the winter solstice, the gentleman was quiet and quiet.
Therefore, on this day, the court will have a holiday and rest, the army will be on standby, the border will be closed, the business travel will be closed, the relatives and friends will each give food, visit each other, and happily enjoy a "quiet and quiet" holiday.
During the Tang and Song dynasties, the winter solstice was a day for the worship of the ancestors. The emperor wanted to hold a ceremony for the worship of the heavens on the outskirts of the country. The people had to worship their parents on this day. There are still some places to celebrate on the winter solstice.