大雪冬至
"Greater Snow Standard-Bearer" (Right) and "Winter Solstice Court Official" (Left)
The "Greater Snow Standard-Bearer" (Right) waves a large flag as the accumulation of cold turns into heavy snow. By this time, the snow is greater than during "Lesser Snow," and the weather becomes much colder. The "Winter Solstice Court Official" (Left) celebrates, symbolizing the long-standing tradition of the solstice. The yang energy starts to rise as the sun shines directly on the Tropic of Capricorn. The day is the shortest, and the night is the longest. People celebrate the Winter Solstice by nourishing their bodies and eating tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), symbolizing completeness and abundance, as well as gaining another year of life.