In ancient China, people attach great importance to the winter solstice, which is a big festival. There was a saying that “the winter solstice is as big as the Chinese New Year”, and there was a custom of celebrating the winter solstice. Many ancient books have proved the importance of winter solstice in ancient times. In China in the 21st century, people still attach great importance to the winter solstice, although it is not a legal holiday in China.
On the winter solstice of the lunar calendar every year, no matter rich or poor, dumplings are indispensable Festival meals. There is a saying: “on October 1st, when the winter solstice comes, every family eats dumplings.” Do you know why Chinese people eat dumplings on the winter solstice?
Jiaoer, the original name of dumpling, was first invented by Zhang Zhongjing, the medical saint of China. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, many people suffered from serious disasters. Zhang Zhongjing not only has excellent medical skills, but also has high medical ethics. No matter the poor or the rich, he has seriously treated them and saved countless lives.
When he saw that some people were poor and their ears were frozen, he was very sad. So he asked his disciples to set up a medical shed to cook mutton and some herbs in a pot. He fished them out and chopped them up. Then he used a dough bag to look like ears. Then he put them down and cooked them in the pot. After they were done, they served them to the people. After eating, people’s ears were cured. Later, people imitated to make dumplings every winter solstice, so the custom of “pinching frozen ears” was formed. Later people called it “Jiaozi.”
Today, Chinese people don’t need dumplings to treat frozen ears, but dumplings have become the most common and favorite food.
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