Winter solstice aka Dongzhi/Tang chek festival is a thanksgiving celebration which occurs annually around December 22. This is when the sun has reached the Tropic of Capricorn, and therefore it is the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.
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.
In Malaysia, the Winter Solstice Festival is celebrated by eating Tang Yuan aka Kueh ee. These are balls made from glutinous rice flour that is served in a clear syrup. The roundness of the balls signifies completeness and prosperity. The traditional colours of the balls are white for abundance and pink for good luck. Other colours may be added (such as blue, green and/or yellow) to create a multi-coloured dessert to delight the young and young-at-heart.
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