WINTER SOLSTICE 2025: Feng Shui Updates, Rituals and Cultural Practices

WINTER SOLSTICE 2025

Feng Shui Updates, Rituals and Cultural Practices

by Uncle Lim
Winter Solstice or “Dong Zhi” is one of the 24 solar terms and the shortest day of the year. It marks the end of Autumn and the start of Winter in the Northern hemisphere and is a turning point that is deeply tied to energetic recalibration. Temperatures fall as we start to see longer nights again, heralding the transition from the year of the Yin Wood Snake to the year of the Yang Fire Horse.

In 2025, Winter Solstice falls on December 21^st.

Chinese families will gather on this day to celebrate the harvests of the year. A sumptuous meal is shared, while prayers and rituals are performed to ensure a profitable, happy and abundant season ahead. There’s a famous couplet that begins with “Dong Zhi Da Guo Nian”, which translates to “Winter Solstice Day is grander than the Lunar New Year”. The latter part of the couplet, “Ren Jian Xiao Tuan Yuan” depicts a common theme where family members get together to enjoy a feast and to make offerings to the Gods.

IMPORTANT FENG SHUI UPDATES:

This is the best day to install the 2026 Tai Sui Plaque in its rightful location. Place it in the South of your home and office to ensure General Wen Zhe, the Tai Sui of 2026, extends his support to you and all who come under your care. The Horse, Rat, Rabbit and Rooster must carry the 2026 Tai Sui Amulet by this date as well.

Another necessary update is to remedy the incoming Three Killings, which in 2026 sits in the North. Place the 3 Celestial Guardians or their plaque in the North part of your home. The Snake, Horse, Sheep, Boar, Rat and Ox should also carry the amulet version for added protection.

Finally, have your Annual Paht Chee Reading done so you can set yourself up for a smooth year.

RITUALS TO OBSERVE:

• Ancestral Worship – Set up incense burners and light some incense. Place food such as dumplings, steamed chicken and cooked pork on a table as an offering to your The head of the household should then lead prayers asking for spiritual deliverance, protection and prosperity.
• Yin – Yang Balancing: Keep your house brightly lit on this day to symbolise “the return of the Y” Hang red lanterns or a red cloth at your main door area to ward off evil spirits and to usher in good fortune.
• Temple Visits: This is an excellent day for visiting temples and paying respects. Popular deities include Zao Jun, the Kitchen God,Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy and Tai Sui, the God of the Year.

AUSPICIOUS FOODS:

Tang Yuan (汤圆) – This sweet dessert is a must during Winter Solstice and cooking it up is a family affair. Everyone sits around the dining table, rolling different coloured glutinous rice doughs into even-sized balls, and sometimes filling them with peanut, black sesame or red bean paste. These are then boiled in water till cooked, and served warm in a ginger-infused soup.

The roundness of the balls represents completeness, smoothness in life and unity of the family. The different coloured tang yuan meanwhile denotes enjoying many kinds of good fortune.

• White symbolises harmonious relationships.
• Red brings joy and happiness.
• Pink represents love.
• Yellow boosts wealth.
• Green attracts good health.
• Blue signifies a flourishing career.
• Purple enhances wisdom.

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Prepare Ginger Syrup:

First peel the skin off the old ginger. Cut the ginger into smaller pieces and lightly bruise them. Rinse screw pine leaves and tie into a knot. In a pot, place water, sugar, ginger and screw pine leaves. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 mins. Leave aside for another 15 mins to allow ginger and screw pine flavours to properly infuse. Remove the screw pine and ginger pieces and set aside.

2) Prepare Rice Balls:

In a big bowl, mix the hot boiling water to the rice flour and mix well. Gradually add in cold water to make a smooth dough.

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Divide the dough into smaller portions, depending on how many colours you plan to prepare.

Add food colouring to the different portions. Then, wearing plastic gloves, knead each of the doughs till the colours are well distributed. Leave one portion of dough white.

Divide each dough into even smaller portions and using the palms of your hands, roll them into balls. Place the rice balls onto a lightly floured plate to prevent sticking. Cover with a cloth to prevent drying prior to cooking.

Cook Rice Balls:

To cook the rice balls, first bring a pot of water to a boil. Make sure there is enough water to submerge the rice balls completely.

Then add in the glutinous rice balls and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice balls from sticking. When the balls start to float to the surface, add 1 cup of cold water into the pot. Cover and continue cooking for another 1 to 2 mins, or till the rice balls float to the surface again.

Remove and place into a large bowl of cold water for about one minute. This prevents the glutinous rice balls from sticking to one another and makes them chewier.

Drain and transfer into the ginger syrup prepared earlier. Tang Yuan can be served hot or cold.

Note: If your family does not have a tradition of making this dessert from scratch, you don’t have to skip this auspicious ritual. You can easily purchase this dish from local Chinese restaurants or dessert shops. Get them in all the colours to symbolise the myriad of meanings!

By honouring Tai Sui, neutralizing the Three Killings, and aligning your Paht Chee with the energies of the year, you set the stage for a prosperous, successful and harmonious Year of the Horse.