WHY DO WE EAT DUMPLINGS AND GLUTINOUS RICE BALLS DURING WINTER SOLSTICE?
Question: It is a custom to eat dumplings and glutinous rice balls on Winter Solstice. Is there a metaphysical rationale for it?
Answer: We commemorate the deceased during Winter Solstice. Our loved ones who passed on would return on this day. In order to offer them some comfort, families would come together to eat glutinous rice balls in remembrance of the deceased.
Glutinous rice ball embodies the Yin and the Yang elements. The white external of the glutinous rice balls represents the Yang energy, while the black fillings denote the Yin energy. Hence, it represents a unity of Yin and Yang. The same applies to dumplings with a wrapped dumpling symbolising perfection. Strictly speaking, on this special day, it is more customary to eat glutinous rice balls than dumplings; people eat the latter only because they crave for it.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 148), 11 February 2017