It’s Winter Solstice tomorrow. Generally Winter Solstice denotes the start of Christmas and New Year festivities around the world. Winter Solstice is that day of the year when we see least long periods of light. After Winter Solstice, days begin getting longer and evenings more limited for individuals in the Northern Hemisphere and it’s simply the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere.
We should investigate when and why Winter Solstice occurs, and the customs related with it. Nations and societies have special methods of observing Winter Solstice. This year, the day is exceptional as it matches with a shocking heavenly occasion – the ‘Great Conjunction’ of the Jupiter and Saturn, occurring after almost 400 years.
What is Solstice?
The world ‘solstice’ is gotten from a Latin word meaning the ‘slowed down sun’. Both Summer and Winter Solstices are galactic occasions denoting the development of the Sun and change in the term of day and evening.
When is Winter Solstice?
Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, happens between December 19 and 23. This year it is on Monday, December 21.
Northern Hemisphere Winter Solstice Time and Date in India
(North America, Central America, Europe, Asia, northern Africa)
December Solstice in New Delhi, India is on 21st December, 15:32 IST
Why does Winter Solstice happen?
Around this time each year, nations in the Northern Hemisphere are farthest from the Sun and the Sun sparkles overhead on the Tropic of Capricorn. The Earth’s hub is inclined at a point of 23.5 degrees as it pivots around the Sun. This wonders causes the development of the Sun from the Northern toward the Southern Hemisphere and the other way around getting occasional changes in the year.
Winter Solstice: History and traditions
- Old Romans commended the day to pay tribute to Saturn, the divine force of horticulture. Seven days in length festivity would pave the way to the Winter Solstice.
- In the United Kingdom, individuals customarily assemble at Stonehenge to watch the dawn and nightfall on Winter Solstice. In any case, this year, inferable from the pandemic, the social affairs won’t be permitted however individuals can watch it on the web. Students of history and archeologists accept that Stonehenge was straightforwardly connected to following the yearly development of the Sun.
- A Winter Solstice in Japan is called Toji. The Japanese accept that the Sun gets more grounded from this day, carrying with it favorable luck for the individuals.
- The Chinese call the Winter Solstice Dong Zhi signifying ‘winter shows up’. Individuals celebrate and welcome the arrival of longer days.
- The ancient Norsemen in Scandinavia observed Yule on Winter Solstice. As the Sun re-visitations of the Northern Hemisphere, men in the family would get back huge logs, which came to be known as Yule logs. Individuals would light the logs and blowout around it.
- Winter Solstice in Iran is called Chelleh night. Persians on Winter Solstice cook unique food like sheep stew, dishes with dry pecans and pomegranates. They light a fire, read verse and sit together around a fire.