Dong Zhi, the second most important festival of the Chinese calendar, is celebrated on the longest night of the year when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest. Family reunions mark the coming of winter and are traditionally when farmers and fishermen gather food for the coming cold season. This celebration stems from the Chinese belief in yin and yang, representing balance and harmony in life. It is believed that the yin qualities of darkness and cold are at their most potent at this time, but it marks a turning point, giving way to the light and warmth of yang.
The festival is celebrated in style, with families donning brand-new clothes and exchanging gifts during visits. People laugh and drink deep into the long night, embracing the optimism that comes with this significant turning point in the seasonal calendar.
