Current:Home > StocksIt's the winter solstice. Here are 5 ways people celebrate the return of light-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
It's the winter solstice. Here are 5 ways people celebrate the return of light
View Date:2024-12-25 22:31:46
It's officially the start of a new season. Winter solstice, which falls on Thursday in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. From now on, the days become longer and nights become shorter.
This year, the solstice occurs at 10:27 p.m. ET, the exact moment the Earth reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun.
But while for some it might be a reason to go to bed early, for many, the day calls for celebration. Since before recorded history, the winter solstice has traditionally meant a time of renewal and ritual for people all over the world.
Here are some ancient winter solstice celebrations from both hemispheres and how they're marked.
Shab-e Yalda
For centuries, Iranians around the world have gathered on winter solstice to celebrate Yalda, meaning birth or rebirth. The holiday dates back to the Zoroastrian tradition, and is believed to be a dedication to the sun god Mithra. Also celebrated in many Central Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, Yalda is a time when loved ones gather to eat, drink, and read poetry through the night and welcome the sun. Nuts and fruits such as pomegranates and watermelons are symbolic, as their red hues represent dawn and life. The holiday represents the victory of light over darkness.
Dongzhi
In Chinese, Dongzhi literally means "winter's arrival," and is one of the solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar. The occasion signifies a turning point in the year when yin energy transitions to the positive energy of yang as the days grow longer. Traditionally celebrated as an end-of-harvest festival during the Han Dynasty, today it is an important time to spend with family and eat a hearty meal of tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) or dumplings, depending on what part of China one lives in.
Inti Raymi
Peru's winter solstice is celebrated in June and honors the Incan sun god Inti (Quechua for "sun"), the most revered god in the Inca religion. Banned during the first years of the Spanish conquest, the festival has since been resurrected and now takes place in the city of Cusco, once the center of the Incan Empire. Festivities include feasts and mock sacrifices that honor historic rituals.
Soyal
For the Native American Hopi tribe in the Southwest, the Soyal ceremony is one of the most important ceremonies of the year. December is the month when protective spirits called katsinas bring the sun back from its long slumber. Lasting up to 16 days, ceremonies include gift-giving, dancing, and storytelling, and are mostly performed in sacred underground chambers called kivas. The festival marks a time for prayer and purification.
Toji
In Japan, the winter solstice comes with several rituals and customs to welcome the return of the sun. One custom that dates back hundreds of years involves taking a hot bath with yuzu, a citrus fruit known for its healing properties. Other traditions include eating a winter squash called kabocha, and foods that contain the "n" sound (like udon), as they are believed to bring good luck.
veryGood! (8576)
Related
- Kraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand
- 4 men dead following drive-by shooting in Alabama, police say
- Family members mourn woman killed at Chiefs' Super Bowl celebration: We did not expect the day to end like this
- Leaking underground propane tank found at Virginia home before deadly house explosion
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Take the Day Off
- Christian-nation idea fuels US conservative causes, but historians say it misreads founders’ intent
- Houston megachurch to have service of ‘healing and restoration’ a week after deadly shooting
- Trump avoids ‘corporate death penalty,’ but his business will still get slammed
- Volunteer firefighter accused of setting brush fire on Long Island
- Fani Willis’ testimony evokes long-standing frustrations for Black women leaders
Ranking
- 2 weeks after Peanut the Squirrel's euthanasia, owner is seeking answers, justice
- East Carolina's Parker Byrd becomes first Division I baseball player with prosthetic leg
- Family members mourn woman killed at Chiefs' Super Bowl celebration: We did not expect the day to end like this
- In MLB jersey controversy, cheap-looking new duds cause a stir across baseball
- Cruel Intentions' Brooke Lena Johnson Teases the Biggest Differences Between the Show and the 1999 Film
- Former NBA big man Scot Pollard receives heart transplant, wife says
- Rachel Brosnahan, Danai Gurira, Hoda and Jenna rock front row at Sergio Hudson NYFW show
- Chinese electric carmakers are taking on Europeans on their own turf — and succeeding
Recommendation
-
Unexpected pairing: New documentary tells a heartwarming story between Vietnam enemies
-
Wholesale prices rose in January, signaling more inflation woes for American consumers
-
When does The Equalizer Season 4 start? Cast, premiere date, how to watch and more
-
Tesla Cybertruck owners complain their new vehicles are rusting
-
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
-
4 men dead following drive-by shooting in Alabama, police say
-
Kevin Harvick becomes full-time TV analyst, reveals he wants to be 'John Madden of NASCAR'
-
Psst! Lululemon’s Align Leggings Are $39 Right Now, Plus More Under $40 Finds You Don’t Want to Miss