白昼最是时光短,奈何相思胜夜长。
芸始生,荔挺出,蚯蚓结,麋角解,水泉动。
——《礼记•月令》
冬至过节源于汉代,盛于唐宋,相沿至今。《清嘉录》甚至有“冬至大如年”之说。这表明古人对冬至十分重视。人们认为冬至是阴阳二气的自然转化,是上天赐予的福气。汉朝以冬至为“冬节”,官府要举行祝贺仪式称为“贺冬”,例行放假。《后汉书》中有这样的记载:“冬至前后,君子安身静体,百官绝事,不听政,择吉辰而后省事。”所以这天朝庭上下要放假休息,军队待命,边塞闭关,商旅停业,亲朋各以美食相赠,相互拜访,欢乐地过一个“安身静体”的节日。那么,你知道冬至的英文该怎么说吗?
冬至(英语:winter solstice),二十四节气之一,是中华民族的传统节日。冬至在太阳到达黄经270°时开始,时于每年公历12月22日左右。冬至是中国传统二十四节气(the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms)中的第二十二个节气,英文表达为Winter Solstice。冬至当天,太阳几乎直射南回归线(Tropic of Capricorn),北半球将经历一年中最短的白天和最长的黑夜。
A Chinese proverb describes the 15 days after Winter Solstice as three periods of waiting — waiting for earthworms to curl up their bodies, waiting for elks’ antlers to break off, and waiting for springs in the mountain to flow, which are all signs ofyang energy sprouting.
中国谚语将冬至后15天的物候变化描述为“三候”:一候,蚯蚓结;二候,麋角解;三候,水泉动。
Ancient China did pay great attention to this holiday, regarding it as a big event. There was the saying that "Winter solstice holiday is greater than the spring festival".
冬至 Winter Solstice
“solstice”这个词我们不太看到,因为它的意思很特别,表示“the time of either the longest day in the year (about June 22) or the shortest day in the year (about December 22)”。一年中最长的一天(大约6月22日)或是一年中最短的一天(大约12月22日)。
这么看来,这个词的用武之地似乎局限性很大了。基本上也就用在“Winter Solstice”(冬至)以及“Summer Solstice”(夏至)之处。
节气小百科
After this day, many places in China go through the coldest period, which is called in Chinese, “Shu Jiu”. In total, there are nine periods with nine days for each. In the first and second nine days, people keep their hands in pockets; in the third and fourth nine days, people can walk on ice; in the fifth and sixth nice days, people can see willows along the river bank; in the seventh and eighth nine days, the swallow comes back and in the ninth nine days, the yak starts working.
从冬至以后,中国的绝大部分地区都会经历最寒冷的时期,中国人叫它”数九“。这一共有九个时期,每个时期分别有九天。在”一九“和”二九“,手放口袋就能避寒;”三九“和”四九“,路上会结冰;”五九“和”六九“,可以看到河岸边柳树抽芽了;在”七九“和”八九“,燕子回归,在最后的”九九“,牛开始犁地。
Today, Winter Solstice is a day for people to pay respects to their ancestors, elders and teachers.
如今,冬至是人们祭拜祖先,拜访长辈和老师的日子。
Visiting the cemeteries of departed family members is the biggest event on the day.
这天最重要的活动便是给逝去的亲人扫墓。
Furthermore, family members dine together, and in some cases if someone is unable to attend, the meal, seat and tableware are still kept aside for them.
此外,所有家庭成员都聚在一起吃饭,有时候,如果有人不能参加聚会,他们的饭菜、座位和餐具仍要摆放好。
In some regions, students give away offerings to Confucius and visit teachers to express their gratitude.
在有些地区,学生们会祭拜孔子,拜访老师,向老师表达感激之情。
Counting nines is a Chinese custom that is similar to countdown to spring. The days after Winter Solstice are divided into nine sections — with nine days for each. After 81 days, spring is said to be arriving.
数九,是一种类似于为春天来临倒计时的中国传统习俗。人们将冬至后的日子分为九个时段——每个时段九天。81天后,春天就到了。
A folk song of “counting nines” is popular: In the first and second “nines,” people put their hands in their pockets; in the third and fourth “nines,” people walk on ice; in the fifth and sixth “nines,” people see willows budding; in the seventh “nine,” the ice on the river is melting; in the eighth “nine,” swallows appear; and in the ninth “nine,” the farm cattle walk around the farmland.
“数九”的民谣广受欢迎: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,八九燕来,九九加一九,耕牛遍地走。
The third nine days after Winter Solstice is usually the coldest period in winter; the temperature gradually starts to rise after that.
冬至后的三九通常是冬季最冷的时期;三九之后,气温逐渐回升。
The tradition of “counting nine” has been popular since the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and there are plenty of recreational activities in China.
“数九”的传统自南北朝流传至今,在中国,有许多庆祝“数九”的娱乐活动。
People in the Ming Dynasty have a tradition of painting nines. On Winter Solstice, people draw a plum branch with nine colorless flowers, each with nine petals. Every day, one petal is painted in color. After all the flowers are colored, it is near springtime.
明朝人有画九的传统。冬至这天,人们会画一枝梅枝,枝上有九朵无色的梅花,每朵梅花上有九片花瓣。每过一天,就把一片花瓣涂上颜色,等所有花都被涂上颜色后,春天就近了。
In the Qing Dynasty,writing nines was seen as fun time for people locked in a long hard winter. They would pick a poetic sentence indicating the arrival of spring. There are nine characters in total, and each character has nine strokes. People will write one stroke every day until the spring is coming. Some people also recorded the weather condition on the stroke.
在清朝,写九被人们当作漫长严冬中的娱乐。人们挑选一句描述春天来临的诗词,一共九个字,每字有九个笔画,每天写一笔,直到春天到来。有些人还在笔画上记录天气状况。
A popular tradition which is still followed today is speculating the weather of the Spring Festival according to the Winter Solstice’s weather condition.
一个颇受欢迎的传统,人们至今仍在遵循着,就是根据冬至的天气情况推测春节的天气。
According to the tradition, if it’s raining on Winter Solstice, it’ll be fine on the Spring Festival; but if it’s sunny on Winter Solstice, it’ll be most likely raining on the Spring Festival.
根据传统,冬至这天如果下雨,春节的天气就会晴朗;但如果冬至阳光明媚,春节很可能会下雨。
According to traditional Chinese medicine , Winter Solstice is a very good time to nurse one’s body by taking nourishing food, as the qi, a vital energy source, starts to store from that day.
根据中医的说法,冬至是利用滋补食品调养身体的绝佳时机,因为中医所讲的“气”——人体重要的能量来源,从冬至这天就开始储存了。
In northern China, the dumpling is a must-eat food on Winter Solstice, while in Tengzhou, Shandong Province, people eat nutritious mutton soup. A popular saying in the north insists that if you don't eat dumplings on Winter Solstice, your ears will be frozen in the coming winter.
在中国北方,饺子是冬至必吃的食物,而在山东滕州,人们吃营养丰富的羊肉汤。在北方流行着一句俗语,冬至不端饺子碗,冻掉耳朵没人管。
In some water towns in the Yangtze River Delta region, people cook glutinous rice with red beans. Legends hold it that an evil spirit who died on Winter Solstice was afraid of red beans.
在长三角地区的一些水乡,人们会用红豆和糯米一起煮成粥。传说有一个在冬至死去恶鬼惧怕红豆。
In Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, people drink rice wine brewed with osmanthus flowers on Winter Solstice while in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, local people poach eggs with longan.
在江苏苏州,人们会在冬至喝桂花酿的米酒,而在浙江嘉兴,当地人则会做桂圆烧蛋。
In Chaoshan area of Guangdong Province, Winter Solstice dishes include rice dumplings of various flavors, such as green beans, red beans and white gourd candies and taros.
在广东潮汕地区,冬至美食包括用绿豆、红豆、糖冬瓜和芋头等食材做成的各种口味的冬节丸。
冬至夜怀湘灵
(白居易·唐)
Missing Xiangling on Winter Solstice Night
艳质无由见,寒衾不可亲。
I can’t see my lover, and quilt is too cold to touch.
何堪最长夜,俱作独眠人。
Both of us sleep alone; how can we spend the longest night?
邯郸冬至夜思家
(白居易·唐)
Homesick Winter Solstice Night in Handan
邯郸驿里逢冬至,抱膝灯前影伴身。
At the courier station of Handan on Winter Solstice night, my arms clasping my knees, only my shadow is accompanying me.
想得家中夜深坐,还应说着远行人。
My family might sit for a long time, talking about me now at this moment.
冬至
(杜甫·唐)
Winter Solstice
年年至日长为客,忽忽穷愁泥杀人。
Far from my hometown on Winter Solstice every year, I’m in such sorrow for my poverty.
江上形容吾独老,天边风俗自相亲。
Gaunt on the river far away from home, I miss my family so much.
杖藜雪后临丹壑,鸣玉朝来散紫宸。
Facing the valley with a stick, I think of old glorious days in the palace.
心折此时无一寸,路迷何处见三秦。
Every time at this moment, I feel lost and upset.
减字木兰花
(阮阅·北宋)
Shortened Magnolia Flowers Tune (a kind of poem pattern)
晓云舒瑞,寒影初回长日至。
Clouds fell away at this dawn; day would be longer since then.
罗袜新成,更有何人继后尘。
The socks for elders are newly woven; the custom should be handed down.
绮窗寒浅,尽道朝来添一线。
Warmer and warmer, shadow would also be shorter.
秉烛须游,已减铜壶昨夜筹。
As night turns to be shorter, weights for timing should also be reduced.
满江红.冬至
(范成大·宋)
Azolla Tune (a kind of poem pattern)
寒谷春生,熏叶气、玉筒吹谷。
Spring sprouts in the cold winter; the aroma of new vanilla leaves fills in the valley.
新阳后、便占新岁,吉云清穆。
After the sunrise tomorrow, it would be a new wonderful year.
休把心情关药裹,但逢节序添诗轴。
Don’t be thinking about medicines all the time; write a new poem at the solar term.
笑强颜、风物岂非痴,终非俗。
It’s not a forced smile; I merely revel in fantastic nature.
清昼永,佳眠熟。门外事,何时足。
The day is long and I slept well. But when will things outside be satisfactory?
且团栾同社,笑歌相属。
It would be better to gather with like-minded friends to have a great time on this day.
著意调停云露酿,从头检举梅花曲。
We make good wine and study the ancient musical notations.
纵不能、将醉作生涯,休拘束。
Even though I can’t be drunk all the time, I am free at the moment.
冬至的传统习俗
Winter Solstice is a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers (especially in the southern partsof China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of Tangyuan or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion.
冬至是家族团聚的一天。在这天,中国南方的家庭会包汤圆、吃汤圆,以象征团圆的意思。不过在中国北方,似乎更多的人会吃饺子。比如说会有“冬至到,吃水饺”这样的谚语。
Particularly, in Northern China, people generally eat dumpling on the Winter Solstice , a custom signifying a warm winter. Extended family members may gather together to make dumplings. In Northern China, dumplings are commonly eaten with a dipping sauce made of vinegar and chili oil or paste, and occasionally with some soy sauce added in.
尤其是在中国北方,人们通常在冬至那天吃饺子,这是一个意味着温暖冬天的习俗。大家庭的成员可以聚在一起包饺子。在中国北方,饺子通常是蘸醋、辣油或酱汁吃的,有时还会加点酱油。
作为一种家常菜,每个家庭都有自己喜欢的制作方法,使用自己喜欢的馅料,制作的种类和方法因地而异。
As a dish prepared at home, each family has its own preferred method of making them, using favorite fillings, with types and methods of preparation varying widely from region to region.
饺子常见的馅料有猪肉、羊肉、牛肉、鸡肉、鱼和虾,这些馅料通常与切碎的蔬菜混合在一起。常见的蔬菜馅料包括大白菜、葱、韭菜、芹菜、菠菜、蘑菇、黑木耳、胡萝卜和韭菜。
Common dumpling meat fillings include pork, mutton, beef, chicken, fish, and shrimp, which are usually mixed with chopped vegetables. Popular vegetable fillings include napa cabbage, scallion (spring onions), leek, celery, spinach, mushroom, edible black fungus, carrot, and garlic chives.
饺子的制作方法多种多样,包括烘烤、煮沸、煎炸、煨制或蒸制,世界上许多菜系都有饺子。
Dumplings may be prepared using a variety of methods, including baking, boiling, frying, simmering, or steaming, and are found in many world cuisines.
冬至吃汤圆,则是我国江南地区的传统习俗。
汤圆也称汤团,是一种用糯米粉制成的圆形甜品,“圆”意味着“团圆”、“圆满”,所以冬至吃汤圆又叫“冬至团”。
古人有诗云:“家家捣米做汤圆,知是明朝冬至天。”每逢冬至,南方各家各户都会做冬至团,不但自家人吃,亦会赠送亲友以表祝福之意,老上海人在冬至这天就是最讲究吃汤圆的。
上面介绍说到“dumpling”可以表示任何“面皮裹馅儿”的食物,因此,向外国人介绍汤圆的时候可以说sweetdumplings。当然,汤圆是我们中国人的传统美食,也可以直接用拼音Tang-yuan表示。
汤圆 sweet dumplings / Tang-Yuan
【例句】In China, people eat tangyuan (sticky riceballs) to symbolize family unity and harmony.
在中国,人们吃汤圆象征着家庭的团圆、和谐。
Eating soft dumplings in winter is verynice.
冬天吃些软糯的汤圆很幸福。
下面,一起来了解更多关于“冬至”的知识吧。
冬至节
据历史学者介绍,3000多年前,周朝以“日影”最长的一天作为新一年的开始。从这个意义上说,冬至就是曾经的年。所以中国有句古话说:“冬至大如年”。
As early as Zhou Dynasty, people worshipped the gods on the day of the Winter Solstice, which was also the first day of the new year. The Winter Solstice became a winter festival in Han Dynasty. 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。
在随后的朝代,如唐、宋、元朝,冬至这天要进行祭神祭祖。至明清时期,冬至依旧长盛不衰,民间又有“肥冬瘦年”之说,可见这一节气的重要。
吃坚果
隆冬来临,万物运转趋于停歇。在此期间,适当地吃点坚果,例如花生、核桃、栗子、榛子和杏仁,对身体有好处。
Traditional Chinese medical science teaches that the quality of a nut is tepidity and most nuts have the function of nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the brain and heart.
传统中医学认为,坚果性温,绝大多数坚果都有补肾、强心、健脑的功效。
吃饺子
“冬至到,吃水饺。”据说,冬至吃水饺的习俗是为纪念“医圣”张仲景。行医途中,他见沿途乡民饥寒交迫,耳生冻疮,便用羊肉等材料制成耳朵形状的“娇耳”,送给人们驱寒。这便是“饺子”的由来。
During Winter Solstice in North China, eating dumplings is essential to the festival. There is a saying that goes "Have dumplings on the day of Winter Solstice and noodles on the day of Summer Solstice."
在中国北方地区,吃饺子是冬至的关键活动。俗话说:“冬至饺子夏至面。”
还记得么,有些地区是立冬日吃饺子呢。你的家乡是哪个节气吃饺子呢?
馄饨
苏州人习惯在隆冬时节吃馄饨。相传苏州百姓把馄饨作为庆祝冬至的食物,是为了纪念大美人西施。
Local legend has it that on the midwinter feast 2,500 years ago, the King of Wu (one of the states during the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Spring and Autumn Period) was tired of all kinds of costly foods and wanted to eat something different. Then, the beauty Xishi came into the kitchen to make "wontons" for the king. He ate a lot and liked the food very much.
据传,在2500年前的吴国宴席上,吴王厌倦了山珍海味,想换个口味。美人西施去厨房做了一道叫“馄饨”的菜来满足他的愿望。吴王大块朵颐,很是喜欢这种美食。
汤圆
冬至的汤圆也叫“冬至丸”“冬至团”,一家人齐聚吃汤圆,寓意“团圆”。在潮汕地区,吃汤圆有“添岁”之意,这就是所说的 “冬节丸,一食就过年。”
In many places, people eat tangyuan, a kind of stuffed small dumpling ball made of glutinous rice flour to celebrate Winter Solstice.
许多地方的人都会吃汤圆,一种包有馅料的糯米粉制成的圆形食物,来庆祝冬至。
羊肉粉丝汤
羊肉性温,味甘,具有温补气血的功效,是冬季进补的佳品。在宁夏回族自治区的银川地区,人们有冬至日喝羊肉粉汤的习俗。
On that day, it is customary for people there to eat mutton and vermicelli soup and soup dumplings. They give the midwinter soup a strange name: "brain",and share it with their neighbors.
在这天,人们有喝羊肉粉汤、吃汤饺的风俗。老百姓给这种冬至喝的汤起了一个奇怪的名字——“头脑”,并把它们分给左邻右舍。
年糕
冬至期间,杭州人有吃年糕的传统,民间也流传着“冬至吃年糕,年年都长高”的俗语。古时,在冬至到来之前,家家户户都会打年糕来祭祀祖先,或当作礼品送给亲朋好友。
Today, though fewer families eat home-made rice cakes, people there still buy rice cakes for the Winter Solstice Festival.
如今,尽管少有家庭还会吃自制的年糕,但人们依然会买年糕来庆祝冬至节气。
关于冬至的相关英语
【习俗】custom /ˈkʌs.təm/ 习俗 [n.]
【饺子】:Dumplings , Chinese meat ravioli, Jiaozi;
【馄饨】:Wonton, dumplings in soup;
【米团】:Rice dumpling;
【长线面】:Long noodle ;
【冬至】winter solstice / Dongzhi
【汤圆】 Tangyuan Glutinous rice ball / rice ball
【二十四节气】 24 Solar Terms
【冬至祭祖】:Offering a Sacrifice to the Ancestors on the Winter Solstice。
立春 the Beginning of Spring
雨水 Rain Water(2nd solar term)
惊蜇 the Waking of Insects(3rd solar term)
春分 the Spring Equinox (4th solar term)
清明 Pure Brightness (5th solar term)
谷雨 Grain Rain (6th solar teram)
立夏 the Beginning of Summer (7th solar term)
小满 Lesser Fullness of Grain (8th solar term)
芒种 Grain in Beard (9th solar term)
夏至 the Summer Solstice (10th solar term)
小暑 Lesser Heat (11th solar term)
大暑 Greater Heat (12th solar term)
立秋 the Beginning of Autumn (13th solar term)
处暑 the End of Heat (14th solar term)
白露 White Dew (15th solar term)
秋分 the Autumn Equinox (16th solar term)
寒露 Cold Dew (17th solar term)
霜降 Frost's Descent (18th solar term)
立冬 the Beginning of Winter (19th solar term)
小雪 Lesser Snow (20th solar term)
大雪 Greater Snow (21th solar term)
冬至 the Winter Solstice (22th solar term)
小寒 Lesser Cold (23th solar term)
大寒 Greater Cold (24th solar term)
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