北京时间12月22日5时48分迎来冬至节气，“至”有极致的意思，这一天太阳直射南回归线，是一年里黑夜最长的一天。
冬至 Winter SolsticeThe traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Winter Solstice (Chinese: 冬至), the 22nd solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 22.
中国传统农历将一年分为二十四个节气。冬至（Winter Solstice）是第22个节气，今年12月22日开始。
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.
在冬至的第一天，北半球会经历一年中最短的白天和最长的夜晚，因为太阳直射在南回归线。自此以后，白昼的时间变得越来越长而夜晚则会越来越短。冬至也标志着一年中最寒冷的季节的到来。
Here are something you should know about Winter Solstice.
以下是关于冬至你应该知道的一些事。
冬至节The Winter Solstice Festival
There was a saying in ancient China, "The Winter Solstice is as significant as the Spring Festival."
中国古代有句俗语：“冬至如大年。”
As early as the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256BC), 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-220AD). The celebratory activities were officially organized. On this day, both officials and common people would have a rest.
早在周朝时期，人们会在冬至当日，也就是当时新年的第一天祭拜神灵。汉朝时，冬至成为了冬天的节日，朝廷会举行正式的庆祝活动。这一天，百官和庶民都会停工歇息。
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.
在随后的朝代，如唐(618-907)、宋(960-1279)、清(1644-1911)，冬至这天要进行祭神祭祖。
北吃饺子
In many areas of northern China, there is the custom of eating dumplings every winter solstice.
在我国北方许多地区，每年冬至日，有吃饺子的习俗。
相传医圣张仲景告老还乡时看到受冻的百姓，便用羊肉和一些驱寒药材以及面皮，包成像耳朵的样子，做成一种叫“驱寒矫耳汤”的药物，施舍给百姓吃。后来，每逢冬至，人们便模仿做着吃，形成了习俗。
南吃汤圆
It is a traditional custom to eat Tangyuan on the winter solstice. Tangyuan is also called tangtuan, which means "Reunion" and "consummation". Therefore, eating Tangyuan on the winter solstice is also called "winter solstice dumpling".
冬至吃汤圆，是我国江南地区的传统习俗。汤圆也称汤团，“圆”意味着“团圆”“圆满”，所以冬至吃汤圆又叫“冬至团”。
每逢冬至清晨，各家各户磨糯米粉，并用糖、肉、莱、果、萝卜丝等做馅，包成冬至团，不但自家人吃，也会赠送亲友以表祝福之意。民间也有“吃了汤圆大一岁”的说法。
不论是饺子还是汤圆，薄薄一层面皮，做法千变万化，但都包裹了鲜美的味道，浸润了对美好生活的向往。
我们的祖先，也总是从这一天开始“数九”记录冬至到来年春分的物候变化。
一九二九不出手三九四九冰上走五九六九沿河看柳七九河开，八九雁来九九加一九，耕牛遍地走
“数九”数的是希望心中装着对春的期盼不疾不徐，就这样日日数到暖静候春日来
冬至，春之先声也在呼啸的寒风中，我们依稀已经听到春天的脚步隐隐传来，夜再长，路再远只要心怀目标就不会失去方向寒夜的尽头便是春天，静候不觉冬已深让我们在回望这一年点滴岁月的同时期待下一个春日的到来。