Five Ways People Celebrate the Winter Solstice Around the World

The longest night and shortest day of the year occur in the Northern Hemisphere on the Winter Solstice, a significant annual occurrence. Every year, on December 21 or 22, the day is honored; this year, it is on Friday, December 22. This astronomical, historical, and cultural phenomenon has its origins in Earth’s axial tilt. People have long recognized this significant astronomical event and have observed various methods to commemorate the Sun’s “return” after it has passed.

A list of some Solstice customs is shown below:

Soyal: The Hopi Indians of northern Arizona celebrate the winter solstice here, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. Purification, dancing, and sometimes exchanging gifts are all part of the rites and ceremonies. The greeting of the mountain protector spirits, known as kachinas, is a significant part of the celebration.

Yalda: The event originated in ancient times in Persia, or modern-day Iran. The Persian month of Azar comes to an end on this day. Yalda is historically celebrated as the birthday of the Sun deity and the triumph of light over darkness.

Inti Raymi: Since the Incans’ time, people have celebrated this day in honor of the Sun deity. It is still observed today; feasts and animal sacrifices were part of the ancient celebrations. The celebration was outlawed by the Spanish, but it was brought back in the 1900s.

Saturnalia: Modern Christmas festivities are most closely associated with this ancient Roman holiday. Encyclopaedia Britannica states that the celebration marked the conclusion of the planting season and was held around the time of the Winter Solstice.

Dong Zhi: This significant Chinese holiday falls around the same time. Family get-togethers to celebrate the year ahead are customary around this time. During this period, special dishes like tang yuan (glutinous rice balls) are consumed.

According to astronomy, the Winter Solstice occurs when the North Pole is angled away from the sun the most, causing the Northern Hemisphere to experience prolonged darkness. The Southern Hemisphere celebrates its Summer Solstice concurrently, ushering in the longest day of sunshine.