According to National Geographic Kids, Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the exact moment that the Earth is tilted the furthest away from the Sun, usually occurring on the 21st or 22nd of December. This year, the Winter Solstice lands on December 21st. Everyday after the 21st, the days will get a little longer.
Beyond the scientific side of the Winter Solstice, there are many cultural and religious traditions that surround this phenomena. According to Britannica, since ancient times, across the world people have recognized the significance of this astronomical occurrence in their own unique ways. Typically, most celebrate the return of the Sun after the Solstice. Solstice celebrations of the past have influenced the modern day holidays we know today, like Christmas and Hanukkah. Check out this list of traditional Solstice holidays, as we celebrate the Winter Solstice as we know it today.
Dong Zhi – “arrival of winter”
A tradition that emerges from China, Dong Zhi is an important festival in China. It serves as a way for families to come together and celebrate the previous year. Generally, the holiday falls between the 21st and 23rd of December. It originated as an end of harvest festival, with the farmers returning from the fields and enjoying the fruits of their labor. To learn more about Dong Zhi, visit https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/winter-solstice.htm.
St. Lucia’s Day
This festival of lights is celebrated in Scandinavia during the time of the Winter Solstice. Modernly, it is a Christian celebration that honors the martyr St. Lucia that incorporates Norce solstice traditions. To learn more about St. Lucia’s Day, visit https://www.britannica.com/topic/St-Lucias-Day.
Yalda
A Perisian festival, also known as Shab-e Yalda, originated in Iran during ancient times as a Winter Solstice Celebration. It marks the last day of the Persian month Azar. It celebrates the victory of light over dark, as well as the birthday of the Sun God Mithra. To learn more about Yalda, visit https://iraneducationalcenter.org/yalda-celebration/.
Soyal
A Winter Solstice celebration of the Hopi Native Americans of northern Arizona, welcomes kachinas, which are spirits that the Hopi believe to be protective spirits from the mountains. To learn more about Soyal, visit https://wilderutopia.com/traditions/soyal-ceremony-hopi-kachinas-dance-at-winter-solstice/.
There are many more Winter Solstice celebrations across the globe, and they are not limited to this list. Learning about the different cultures, traditions, and values surrounding the Winter Solstice can make December 21st even more special. To learn more about Winter Solstice traditions, visit, https://www.history.com/news/8-winter-solstice-celebrations-around-the-world.
Adapted from:
https://www.britannica.com/list/7-winter-solstice-celebrations-from-around-the-world
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/winter-solstice