The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Winter Solstice, the 22nd solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 22 and ends on Jan 5.

中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)二十四節(jié)氣的第22個(gè)節(jié)氣是冬至，今年的冬至從12月22日開(kāi)始，1月5日結(jié)束。

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.

冬至節(jié)氣的第一天，由于太陽(yáng)直射南回歸線，北半球白晝最短，黑夜最長(zhǎng)。冬至過(guò)后，白晝變長(zhǎng)，黑夜變短。冬至也意味著一年最冷的時(shí)節(jié)來(lái)臨。

Here are nine things you should know about Winter Solstice.

一起來(lái)了解一下關(guān)于冬至的9個(gè)小常識(shí)。

The Winter Solstice Festival

冬至大如年

There was a saying in ancient China, "The Winter Solstice is as significant as the Spring Festival."

中國(guó)有句古話叫：“冬至大如年。”

As early as the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256 BC), 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-AD 220). The celebratory activities were officially organized. On this day, both officials and common people would have a rest.

早在周朝時(shí)期（公元前約11世紀(jì)-公元前256年），人們就在冬至這天祭拜神靈，冬至還是新年的第一天。冬至在漢朝（公元前206年-公元220年）成為一個(gè)冬季節(jié)日，在這天會(huì)舉行正式的慶?；顒?dòng)，官員和百姓均可休息。

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.

在后來(lái)的朝代，比如唐朝（公元618年-907年）、宋朝（公元960年-1279年）和清朝（公元1644年-1911年），冬至成為祭天祭祖的節(jié)日。