There are 24 solar terms in Japan.
It was winter solstice yesterday.
It was the shortest day of the year.
Winter is Yin, Summer is Yang in the theory of Yin and Yang.
陰陽論では冬は陰、夏は陽です。
Winter solstice is the day that has the strongest Yin.
It is a period when we are likely to fall sick, because it’s an unstable period when Yin and Yang are exchanged.
今の時期は体調を崩しやすいです。なぜなら陰と陽が入れ替わる不安定な時期だからです。
Therefore, there are 2 customs in Japan on winter solstice.
One is to warm our body by taking Japanese citron bath.
The other is to eat pumpkins.
Because pumpkins have high nutritional value and can be preserved during the severe cold season.
それゆえに、日本には冬至の日に２つの風習があります。
1つは柚子湯に入って体を温めることです。
もう１つは南瓜を食べることです。
なぜなら南瓜は栄養価が高く、寒い時期の間、保存が効くからです。
Also, the yellow color of Japanese citron and pumpkin is considered to be the color to keep away from devil since ancient times.
また、柚子と南瓜の黄色は古代から魔除けの色と考えられています。
In other words, it can be said that it goes from winter to spring.
But from today, Yin goes to Yang.
The days are gettinng longer little by little from today.
The very cold days continue, but spring is definitely coming.
Everyone, please take care of yourself.
しかし、今日から少しずつ日が長くなっていきます。陰から陽へ向かっていきます。
昨日までは「陰中の陰」、今日からは「陰中の陽」になります。
寒い日が続きますが確実に春へ向かっていきます。
皆様、ご自愛専一になさってくださいね