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Hey, Hey, Hey… Christmas mode is on, but don’t forget tomorrow (21st December 2024) is the Winter Solstice! It’s time to eat tangyuan (sweet rice balls)!🍡 Not only do these little bites of heaven taste amazing, but their colors and numbers are packed with meaning and blessings for the year ahead! According to Feng Shui master, every color of tangyuan has a special power, so let’s eat a few and start the year with Heng Ong Huat!
What is Winter Solstice (Dongzhi)?
Image Source: Farmer’s Almanac
Winter Solstice (known as 冬至 Dongzhi in Chinese) is one of the 24 solar terms (气节 Qijie) and it usually falls on the 21st of December 2024 – the shortest day and longest night of the year. It also seems like a day for renewal-think of it as nature’s way of saving, ‘Hey, the worst is over!’ Winter Solstice has been a big deal in Chinese Culture since ancient times! In that time, families gather, ancestors are honored, and there’s a whole lot of good food – especially tang yuan (汤圆)!
Why Do People Eat Tangyuan On Dongzhi?
Image Source: The Star
Eating tang yuan (sweet rice balls) is a cherished tradition in Chinese culture, especially during Winter Solstice. Here’s why:
Symbol of reunion (团圆 Tuanyuan): The round shape of tangyuan represents unity and completeness, symbolising family togetherness and harmony.
Luck and happiness (开运 Kaiyun): Tangyuan is thought to bring blessings for a prosperous and happy year ahead.
- Winter Solstice tradition: Eating tangyuan on Winter Solstice marks the return of warmth and the gradual growth of the Yang (阳) energy, symbolizing a new beginning and hope.
- Warmth and nutrition: The glutinous rice dough provides warmth and energy (驱寒 Quhan), perfect for the cold winter months. (Even though Singapore doesn’t get snowed in, the tradition is still very much alive and kicking).
- Sharing love and blessings: Sending or sharing tang yuan is a way to show love and care for family and friends.
What’s the Meaning Behind Tang Yuan Colors?
So, what’s the deal with those colorful little rice balls? Each color is more than just a pretty shade – it represents a special blessing or wishes for the upcoming year. Here’s the lowdown on what each color stands for:
1. ⚪ White: Human Connections (人缘 Renyuan)
White tangyuan helps you boost your social circle and make good connections. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, impress your boss, or meet someone special, white tangyuan has got your back!
2. 🔴 Red: Joy and Good Vibes (喜气 Xiqi)
Red = happiness, celebration and good fortune! Eating red tangyuan is like eating a spoonful of joy! It’s all about keeping the happy vibe flowing and ensuring that your year ahead is filled with fun and good luck!
3. 🌸 Pink: Love and Romance (桃花 Taohua)
Oh la la, looking for some romance in the new year? 😏 Pink tangyuan is your matchmaker. Whether you’re single and mingling or already in a relationship, these sweet pink rice balls are here to sprinkle a little love magic into your life~ (Admin wants to eat a bundle of pink tangyuan this year!)
4. 🟡 Yellow: Wealth and Prosperity (财运 Caiyun)
Dollar bills, dollar bills
Watch it falling for me, I love the way that feels (‘Money’ by Lisa)
Yellow is the color of gold💰and eating yellow tangyuan means you’re inviting wealth into your life. Whether you’re hoping for a raise, a lucky break, or just more ‘cha-ching’ in your savings account, yellow tang yuan will help you start the year on a financially fabulous note.
5. 🟢 Green: Health and Vitality (平安 Ping-an)
Eating green tang yuan is a wish for a year full of energy, wellness, and all-around vitality. So if you’re looking to kickstart a healthier lifestyle, green tang yuan is your foodie friend.
6. 🔵Blue: Career Success (事业 Shiye)
Blue tang yuan is all about leveling up in your career. Whether you’re chasing that promotion or dreaming of new business ventures, blue rice balls help bring focus, growth, and success to your work life. Work hard, eat blue tang yuan, and watch your career soar!
7. 🟣 Purple Tang Yuan: Wisdom & Smarts （智慧 Zhihui）
Purple is the color of royalty – and brains! Purple tang yuan helps boost your wisdom, creativity, and intellect. Perfect if you’re hitting the books or trying to come up with that next big idea. Who knows? You might just get your next lightbulb moment after a bite of these.
What About the Number of Tang Yuan?
Now, it’s not just the color of the tang yuan that matters – the number of rice balls in your bowl carries some serious meaning too. In Chinese culture, certain numbers are considered lucky, so here’s the scoop on what each quantity symbolizes:
- 2 Tang Yuan: “Good things come in pairs!” (好事成双) Double the fun, double the luck, and double the happiness.
- 6 Tang Yuan: “Six six great success!” （六六大顺） A smooth-sailing year ahead with no obstacles. 🛶
- 8 Tang Yuan: “Get rich!” （8 similar sounds to ‘发’ in Mandarin） Eight is the ultimate lucky number when it comes to wealth, so enjoy those tang yuan and watch your fortune grow.
- 10 Tang Yuan: “Perfection!” （十全十美） A year filled with all-around success and happiness. Who doesn’t want that?
- 12 Tang Yuan: “Fame and fortune!” （名利双收）It’s the ultimate combo – career growth and financial success, all in one bite.
Types of Tang Yuan
Tang yuan come in a variety of flavors and fillings, depending on the region and the occasion. Here are some of the most popular types and their fillings:
1. Traditional Sweet Fillings
Image Source: 下厨房
These are the most common types of tang yuan, typically sweet and comforting.
- Black Sesame: A rich and smooth filling made from roasted black sesame seeds, offering a deep, nutty flavour and a silky texture.
- Peanut: Ground peanuts mixed with sugar, giving a sweet, nutty, and crunchy taste.
- Red Bean: A classic sweet filling made from red beans, known for its smooth, slightly sweet flavor.
- Osmanthus: A fragrant filling with osmanthus flowers mixed with sugar, providing a delicate, floral aroma. Often enjoyed during traditional celebrations.
- Lotus Seed Paste: Made from lotus seeds mixed with sugar, offering a lightly sweet taste with a subtle floral note.
2. Plain Tang Yuan (No Filling)
Image Source: Noob Cook
This version is simply made from glutinous rice dough without any filling inside. While it may sound simple, it’s still delicious, especially when served with a sweet or ginger syrup. The plain tang yuan is chewy and comforting, making it a perfect option for those who prefer a less sweet or minimalist option.
3. Savory Fillings
Image Source: What to Cook Today
While sweet tang yuan is most common, savory versions are also popular, especially in some regions.
- Pork and Chive: A savory filling made from minced pork and chopped chives, creating a flavorful and hearty combination.
- Pickled Vegetable and Egg: A filling made from pickled vegetables and egg, bringing a savory, slightly tangy flavor.
- Chicken and Shiitake Mushrooms: A lighter, savory filling made from minced chicken and shiitake mushrooms, offering umami-rich taste.
4. Ginger Tang Yuan
Image Source: Eat What Tonight
Ginger tang yuan is a special variety that is popular during colder months, offering warming and health-boosting properties.
- Ginger Syrup Tang Yuan: The soup is made with ginger and brown sugar, offering a spicy and sweet flavor that is believed to warm the body and promote blood circulation, perfect for winter.
- Red Sugar Ginger Soup: A variation of ginger tang yuan, where the ginger and red sugar combine to provide a sweet and spicy taste, particularly loved by women for its health benefits.
5. Creative Flavors
Image Source: Miri City Sharing Channel
Beyond traditional flavors, some innovative versions of tang yuan have been created, especially in modern restaurants or for special occasions.
- Chocolate: Chocolate-filled tang yuan brings a dessert-like twist to the classic, with a rich and indulgent flavor.
- Matcha: Matcha-flavored tang yuan, which combines the earthy taste of green tea powder with the chewy rice dough, is perfect for matcha lovers.
- Creative shape: As the Winter Solstice coincides with Christmas, some people get extra creative and give their tang yuan a festive twist. By combining the rich tradition of tang yuan with Christmas themes, people can celebrate both Winter Solstice and Christmas in a fun, creative way.
Sending Tang Yuan with EasyParcel’s On-Demand Delivery
Can’t make it to your family or friends this Winter Solstice? Or just want to surprise someone with a little tang yuan love? Skip the hassle of delivery – and let EasyParcel’s On-Demand Delivery do the work! With EasyParcel, you can send tang yuan straight to anyone’s doorstep in Singapore, no matter how busy your schedule gets.
Now, you can share the Winter Solstice love and blessings without leaving the couch. So sit back, relax, and let EasyParcel handle the delivery – all you need to do is enjoy your tang yuan and send your warm wishes. 🎉
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