The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Winter Solstice (Chinese: 冬至), the 22nd solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 21.
中國傳統農曆將一年分為二十四個節氣。冬至（Winter Solstice）是第22個節氣，今年12月21日開始。
On the first day of Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night in the year, as the sun shines directly at the Tropic of Capricorn. From then on, the days become longer and the nights become shorter. The Winter Solstice also marks the arrival of the coldest season in the year.
在冬至的第一天，北半球會經歷一年中最短的白天和最長的夜晚，因為太陽直射在南回歸線。自此以後，白晝的時間變得越來越長而夜晚則會越來越短。冬至也標誌著一年中最寒冷的季節的到來。
Here are something you should know about Winter Solstice.
以下是關於冬至你應該知道的一些事。
The Winter Solstice Festival 冬至節
There was a saying in ancient China, "The Winter Solstice is as significant as the Spring Festival."
中國古代有句俗語：「冬至如大年。」
As early as the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256BC), people worshipped the gods on the first day of the Winter Solstice, which also was the first day of the new year.
The Winter Solstice became a winter festival during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220AD). The celebratory activities were officially organized. On this day, both officials and common people would have a rest.
早在周朝時期，人們會在冬至當日，也就是當時新年的第一天祭拜神靈。漢朝時，冬至成為了冬天的節日，朝廷會舉行正式的慶祝活動。這一天，百官和庶民都會停工歇息。
During subsequent dynasties, such as the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911), the Winter Solstice was a day to offer sacrifices to Heaven and to ancestors.
在隨後的朝代，如唐(618-907)、宋(960-1279)、清(1644-1911)，冬至這天要進行祭神祭祖。
北吃餃子
In many areas of northern China, there is the custom of eating dumplings every winter solstice.
在我國北方許多地區，每年冬至日，有吃餃子的習俗。
相傳醫聖張仲景告老還鄉時看到受凍的百姓，便用羊肉和一些驅寒藥材以及麵皮，包成像耳朵的樣子，做成一種叫「驅寒矯耳湯」的藥物，施捨給百姓吃。後來，每逢冬至，人們便模仿做著吃，形成了習俗。
南吃湯圓
It is a traditional custom to eat Tangyuan on the winter solstice. Tangyuan is also called tangtuan, which means "Reunion" and "consummation". Therefore, eating Tangyuan on the winter solstice is also called "winter solstice dumpling".
冬至吃湯圓，是我國江南地區的傳統習俗。湯圓也稱湯糰，「圓」意味著「團圓」「圓滿」，所以冬至吃湯圓又叫「冬至團」。
每逢冬至清晨，各家各戶磨糯米粉，並用糖、肉、萊、果、蘿蔔絲等做餡，包成冬至團，不但自家人吃，也會贈送親友以表祝福之意。民間也有「吃了湯圓大一歲」的說法。
Since ancient times, the status of the winter solstice is no less than that of the new year. What is the winter solstice in the minds of literati?
自古以來，冬至的地位便不亞於新年。文人墨客心中的冬至，又是何模樣？
《邯鄲冬至夜思家》
【唐】白居易
邯鄲驛裡逢冬至，抱膝燈前影伴身。
想得家中夜深坐，還應說著遠行人。
Winter Solstice Festival, the detention in the outside, solitary shadow cold lamp, is all in the way. The light homesickness, the thick bosom relatives lets the human move.
冬至佳節，羈旅在外，孤影寒燈，全是掛礙。淡淡的思鄉，濃濃的懷親讓人動容。
《小至》
【唐】杜甫
天時人事日相催，冬至陽生春又來。
刺繡五紋添弱線，吹葭六琯動浮灰。
岸容待臘將舒柳，山意衝寒欲放梅。
雲物不殊鄉國異，教兒且覆掌中杯。
When the winter solstice arrives, spring is not far away. Although in a foreign country, there are no differences in clouds and things.
Therefore, the poet teaches his son to pour wine and raise his glass to drink, which reflects his rare and comfortable mood.
冬至既到，春天也就不遠了，雖然身處異鄉，但云物不殊，所以詩人教兒斟酒，舉杯痛飲，反映出詩人難得的舒適心情。
歲歲年年，輪迴不止，勾勒出二十四節氣，蘊含其中的，是我們對生活的探尋，對時間的敬重。
奇速英語祝各位家長老師同學們：
冬至陽生春又來，新的一年即將到來之際，闔家美滿！