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Holidays
& Observances Winter
Solstice History
Talk about icy doom and gloom! The first day of winter is the
shortest, darkest day of the year.
It's enough to make you want to check airfares for Hawaii, or
to finally pack for that Florida vacation you've been planning
but don't rush off just yet ....
Find
out more about the history, legend and science of the earth's
annual winter rotation in our decidely upbeat online guide to...
Winter Solstice
In
the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs on December
21, 2009 at 12:47 PM EST and 17:47 UT (Universal Time).
In
the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice takes place on June
21, 2009 5:45 UT (Universal Time).
The
cliche that it's always darkest before the dawn has its roots
in both ancient religion and modern science.
In astronomy,
winter solstice is when the earth's orbit tilts away from the
sun to bring on the colder days of winter. The
day of the winter solstice results in the shortest day and the
longest night of the year.
However, with
each passing day after the winter solstice the earth
begins to tilt back - to face the sun once again to signal
the return of spring.
Early Celebrations
in the Northern Hemisphere
Sol + stice
derives from an ancient Latin word meaning "sun" + "to
stand still."
In
Eastern customs, the ancient Chinese believed that the yin
qualities of darkness and cold were at their most powerful point
at the winter solstice, but it was also the turning point that
gave way to the light and warmth of yang. Today, the celebration
of Dong
Zhi is the second most important festival of the Chinese
calendar after Chinese
New Year or Spring Festival.
Predating
Christianity by centuries, ancient winter solstice celebrations
included rituals of light and fire which both helped beat back
winter's ominous gloom and actively recognized that brighter days
were just ahead.
Makar
Sankranti is a huge festival held in India around the
time of the winter solstice celebrating the sun's ascendency,
marked by gift giving and special prayers. And on the Jewish calendar,
the Hanukkah
festival of lights is seen by many to be a clear metaphor
for the hopeful lengthening of days brought on by the winter solstice.
In
the West, the
ancient Germanic Yule
festival also still survives today in winter feasting that
occurs around Christmas,
as well as the tradition of the Yule
log whose embers it was believed helped frighten away evil
spirits.
The
early beginnings of Christmas, in fact, have direct roots in the
winter solstice celebration that took place at Saturnalia,
dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture in Roman times.
When
Christianity was introduced to the Roman Empire in the early
4th Century, the church in its wisdom allowed the Saturnalia tradition
to continue, but concluded the week-long festival with a day dedicated
to the birth of Christ, or Christ Mass, better known today as
Christmas.
More
about winter solstice around the Web:
Ancient Origins - Winter Soltice
Winter
Solstice Traditions
The
Winter Solstice
Winter
Solstice Celebrations
Solstice
a Cause for Celebration Since Ancient Times
also
see in Holidays/Observances -> Winter
Solstice | Summer
Solstice
December
21, 2012 - The End of the World?
First
Day of Spring | Daylight
Savings Time
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