Because the southern hemisphere celebrates the beginning of summer time, these north of the equator will expertise the shortest day of the 12 months, often known as the winter solstice. This 12 months, it falls on 21 December.
The phrase “solstice” derives from sol, the Latin phrase for solar, and sistere, which implies “to come back to a cease or make stand”.
Arriving on the identical day throughout the globe, a solstice happens when the solar reaches its lowest or highest level within the sky in the course of the 12 months because of the Earth’s axis tilting to or away from the solar.
Traditionally, the winter solstice has been of nice significance to many cultures, reminiscent of Historical Egypt and Historical Rome, usually as a marker for the passing seasons, and a potential time of rebirth.
In northern Europe, from the Faroe Islands to Estonia, Germanic peoples have lengthy celebrated the occasion, which turned often known as Xmas.
Whereas Xmas dates again to the Norse individuals, who celebrated the solar’s rebirth for 12 days, it was additionally celebrated by Anglo-Saxon pagans.
In accordance with Pliny the Elder, in Britain, druid monks would mark the essential date by gathering mistletoe and sacrificing bulls – which was additionally possible a sensible measure to restrict the variety of mouths to feed throughout months of famine.
Along with mistletoe and 12 days of festivities, a number of Christmas traditions, reminiscent of Xmas logs and adorning timber, date again to Xmas, which have been later adopted and tailored by Christians.
However the winter solstice remains to be celebrated in components of the UK and US. The most well-liked annual custom sees druids, pagans and lovers collect at Stonehenge to observe the solar rise.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
