from around the world!
The winter solstice is an event that's been celebrated by cultures all over the world for centuries.
Taking place on the 22nd of December in the northern hemisphere and the 21st of June in southern hemisphere countries like Australia, it's long been seen as a time of rebirth and renewal.
For many Australians, the winter solstice is a time to celebrate the end of the coldest months and the gradual oncoming of warmer weather. It's also a chance to reflect on the year that's been and set goals for the year ahead.
However, the truth is that the winter solstice has a different meaning depending on where you live.
Let's take a look at a few winter solstice myths and traditions from around the world!
Saint Lucia Day, Sweden
If you want an example of winter solstice done right, you can't go past Sweden.
Saint Lucia Day on December 13 is celebrated with processions of women (and sometimes men) dressed in white carrying candles, singing traditional songs and eating gingerbread biscuits.
The festival commemorates Saint Lucia, a Christian martyr who was said to have worn a wreath of candles on her head to bring light into the dark Swedish winters.
Santo Tomas Festival, Guatemala
A little south of the border but equally as interesting are winter solstice traditions in Guatemala. Namely, the Santo Tomas Festival which takes place on December 21.
The festival is a blend of Mayan and Catholic traditions and celebrates the start of the new year in the Maya calendar. The highlight of the festival is a ceremonial dance in which men dressed as giants and beasts perform to traditional music. The festival also features food, games and fireworks.
Newgrange gathering, Ireland
Winter solstice has strong pagan connotations, and nobody does ancient paganism rituals like the Irish.
They celebrate the winter solstice at the Newgrange gathering, which is a massive party that includes musical performances, food and of course, plenty of Guinness. Many people also take part in an overnight stay at the prehistoric site, which is said to be incredibly magical during the shortest day/longest night of the year.
Shab-e Yalda, Iran
While Iran might not be the first nation that comes to mind when you think of winter solstice celebrations, the country actually has a rich tradition dating back millennia.
The festivities, known as Shab-e Yalda, are celebrated on the longest night of the year and last until dawn. Friends and family gather together to eat seasonal fruits, read poetry and stay up all night chatting.
They also share stories about the past year and make predictions for the ones to come. In short, it's a pretty lovely way to ring in the shortest day of the year.
Dongzhi, China
Another country with strong winter solstice traditions is China, which celebrates the Dongzhi festival.
This is a time for families to get together and make dumplings, as well as sticky rice cakes, mutton soup and glutinous rice balls. The reasoning for this isn't just to fill up on excellent food though – these meals are made because they're believed to promote family harmony.
In addition, the winter solstice in China also involves the yin-yang concept.
This is the belief that there are two forces in the universe, which oppose and complement each other. The winter solstice is when yin (darkness, cold, death) is at its strongest, and yang (light, warmth, life) is at its weakest.
After this day, the balance starts to shift, and yang begins to grow stronger again.
Toji, Japan
Across the East China Sea we have the nation of Japan. They celebrate the winter solstice with a unique tradition called Toji.
This is when the longest and shortest days of the year are equal in length, which happens on December 21st or 22nd in Japan depending on the year.
On this day, people used to go to Buddhist temples early in the morning to listen to special lectures about Buddhism. These days, people still visit temples, but the focus has shifted to more of a celebration of the change of seasons.
People eat special foods on Toji and give thanks for the harvest they’ve received in the past year. Families also take time to remember their ancestors by cleaning their gravesites and paying respects.
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival, Vancouver
Finally, we have the North American nation of Canada, which can boast to have strong winter solstice traditions in its capital city of Vancouver.
In Vancouver, there's something called the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival, which is a massive celebration that sees people of all ages come together to make and carry lanterns through the city streets.
The festival has its roots in an ancient Chinese tradition, and it's now become one of Vancouver's most beloved winter events. So if you find yourself in Vancouver on December 21st, be sure to check out the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival – it’s a great way to see a winter solstice tradition being enacted right before your eyes.
There you have it! Our little tour around the world of winter solstice myths and traditions.
We hope you enjoyed it and that you'll be able to use some of this information to add a little extra festive cheer to your own winter celebrations! Wishing you all a very happy winter solstice and good fortune when it comes to playing our best online pokies.
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