冬至
동지
冬 (winter) + 至 (reach) — "winter's peak"
📅 양력 12월 22일경
📜 Origin and History
The hanja "至" depicts a bird descending to ground — to reach, to arrive. 冬至 = "winter at its peak" — the longest night of the year. From the next day, daylight grows longer — yang rises again. Koreans eat red bean porridge (patjuk) to ward off evil. In old times, dongji was called "Little Seol" — the turning point of yin-yang for the year.
🏯 Traditions
Red bean porridge (patjuk), sprinkling porridge around the kitchen, the "Little Seol".
"冬至 — the darkest night. Yet from tomorrow, light grows."
