Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get-togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of tangyuan (湯圓) or balls of glutinuous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large tangyuan in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savoury broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl. (Wikipedia)
Most Chinese who are Buddhists in Malaysia are also Taoists so ancestral worship is a part of life. In all major festivals, food and incense offerings are made to the deities and ancestors at home altars.
Dongzhi Festival is one of the important festivals celebrated in the lunar year. The next major festival is the Chinese or Lunar New Year. The new year of the Dragon falls on Jan 23, 2012.
Happy Dongzhi to you if you are celebrating this festival!
Image source: Nyonyafood
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