The winter solstice, the astronomical event that marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year, occurs annually on December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere and June 20th or 21st in the Southern Hemisphere.
The winter solstice has been celebrated by many cultures throughout history, and is often associated with the beginning of winter. It has been marked by various rituals and traditions, such as the lighting of bonfires, the decorating of homes with evergreen plants, and the exchange of gifts. In some cultures, the winter solstice is also seen as a time of renewal and hope, as the days begin to grow longer and the sun’s strength begins to increase once again.
Rosalyn LaPier, writer from University of Illinois explained: ”Although some winter solstice traditions have changed over time, they are still a reminder of indigenous peoples’ understanding of the intricate workings of the solar system.” Our ancestors whose life was dependent on a thorough understanding of seasonal cycles, began celebrating the winter solstice thousands of years ago. In the ancient roman times, a pagan festival called Saturnalia which celebrated the god of agriculture took place annually on December 17th. In fact, many of the traditions associated with Saturnalia, such as gift-giving and the decoration of homes with evergreen plants, have been incorporated into modern Christmas celebrations.
The winter solstice is caused by the Earth’s tilt on its axis as it orbits the sun. This tilt causes the seasons, as different parts of the Earth receive more or less direct sunlight throughout the year. After the winter solstice, the days begin to get longer and the sun’s strength begins to increase once again, until the vernal equinox on March 20th or 21st,when the length of the day and the night become roughly equal all over the world.
According to EarthSky.org, the exact time of the 2022 winter solstice is 21:48 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on Wednesday, while the majority of Asia will mark the winter solstice on Thursday, December 22. In 2023, it will fall on 4th January.
Source: wsj.com
