Sunday, December 23, 2007

Big Balls


Hmm...what were you thinking? :-D

Two bowls of round glutinous sticky rice balls bathed in sweet sugar water. Its part of the Winter Solstice Festival celebration. Astronomically, winter solstice marks the middle or beginning of winter and interpretation varies from culture to culture, but most hold a recognition of rebirth.

For us Chinese, this is what it means (taken from Wiki) :

"The Winter Solstice Festival or The Extreme of Winter (Chinese and Japanese: 冬至; Korean: 동지; Vietnamese: Đông chí) (Pinyin: Dōng zhì), (Rōmaji: Tōji) is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the dongzhi solar term on or around December 21 when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest; i.e., on the first day of the dongzhi solar term. The origins of this festival can be traced back to the Yin and Yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. After this celebration, there will be days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in. The philosophical significance of this is symbolized by the I Ching hexagram fù (復, "Returning"). Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of Tangyuan (湯圓, as pronounced in Cantonese; Mandarin Pinyin: Tāng Yuán) or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion.

4 comments:

Rick said...

Winter Solstice - the days start to get longer - yippee!!

http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com/

Mommy to Chumsy said...

the big balls...you made them yourself? hmmmm..lemme guess...NO..:D

JK said...

Too late to wish you happy tongzhi. Here's wishing you merry christmas and happy holidays.

moms tales said...

Rick : Hahha...so glad for you!! :-)
Thanks for dropping by. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Barb : Heheh...u r so right my fren!! My MIL made them..:-)

Jo-N : Never too late dear..Thanks and happy hols to you too.

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