Winter Solstice | Kidadl

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Winter Solstice

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Where is Winter Solstice celebrated? 

Winter Solstice is celebrated across the world but especially in the countries lying in the northern hemisphere. This day is also celebrated in one of the remotest locations of the world, Antarctica. Yes, the scientists who are stationed at the research center in Antarctica also experience Winter Solstice celebrations. 

Who is Winter Solstice celebrated by?

A lot of countries and communities celebrate the Winter Solstice. Every community has a different way of celebrating this as the return of the sun’s rebirth. This day marks the change of season in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere, but it also has an extremely important place in cultures across the world.

When did Winter Solstice first start?

It is not possible to determine when the Winter Solstice first began, as the solar system was created around 4.5 billion years ago, and intelligent life on Earth started only a few million years ago. As the orbit of the Earth around the sun is relatively stable, the solstice must have been happening since the day the stable orbit was achieved. However, humans came to know of these events much later, and proper astronomical studies started only around 600-700 years ago. So, it would be safe to say that no one knows when the Winter Solstice first started, but it can certainly be said that the celebrations are celebrated on December 21 or 22 every year.

Who started Winter Solstice?

Again, it is not possible to say who started Winter Solstice, as this event is related to the motion of the Earth around the sun. As per scientists, the solar system is around 4.5 billion years old, and for more than four billion years the Earth has achieved a stable orbit around the sun. Therefore, this astronomical phenomenon must have started once stability was achieved. After all, we only came to know of this astronomical phenomenon only a few hundred years ago. So, it would not be possible to determine who started the Winter Solstice

History And Timeline

The history of the Winter Solstice can be traced back to the orbit of the Earth around the sun. There are two different solstices that are observed across the sky: Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice. Different cultures across various countries celebrate the Winter Solstice in different ways. Here are some of the most important aspects related to the history of the Winter Solstice:

The Winter Solstice marks the start of the winter season in the northern hemisphere.

Traditions And Customs

On this day, people do purification ceremonies, perform dancing rituals, and sometimes they gift each other gifts as well. In different parts of the world, it is celebrated differently. There are many people who pray for various blessings and perform other rituals, for example, praying to the protective spirits from the mountains.

Ways To Celebrate Winter Solstice 

On this day, people decorate a Winter Solstice yule tree with candles, or they may even make Winter Solstice lanterns. On this day, many people attend a spiral walk. As the folk stories suggest, many people also make reindeer cookies in honor of the deer’s mother.

Facts And Stats

The Winter Solstice is followed by Christmas and New year celebrations all over the world. 

We experience the longest day in the Summer Solstice all over the world, and decreased sunlight and a longer night during the Winter Solstice.

Celebrations of the Winter Solstice are observed differently in various cultures across the world.

FAQs About Winter Solstice

When exactly is the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice is an important astronomical event that is observed when the tilt of the north pole towards the sun is recorded at 23.4 degrees. As a result, the countries in the northern hemisphere experience the start of the winter wherein the temperatures fall and the duration of the daylight hours reduces in comparison to night hours.

What is the significance of the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice is an extremely important event on Earth. This day marks the arrival of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere. Different cultures across the world celebrate this event in different ways.

What does 'solstice' literally mean?

It is derived from the Latin word, 'solstitium'. When broken into parts, it means: 'sol' (sun), 'sistere' (to stand still). It means 'the standing still of the sun'.

Does the sun stop moving for three days?

No, the sun can not stop moving for three days nor can the Earth stop moving for three days. Such an event will have a catastrophic impact on the life on Earth.

Hashtags To Use On Social Media

#WinterSolstice2022

When Is This Day Celebrated

Date Day
December 20, 2020 Sunday
December 20, 2021 Monday
December 20, 2022 Tuesday
December 20, 2023 Wednesday
December 20, 2024 Friday

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