Winter Solstice 2024 Date, History and Significance: When Is December Solstice? Fascinating Rituals and Traditions To Mark the Shortest Day and Longest Night of the Year
The Winter Solstice has been recognised as an essential annual event since ancient times. It has been celebrated with feasts and traditions around the world. The observance dates back to the Neolithic (New Stone Age).
Winter is all about the magical time. Not just Christmas, festive enthusiasts around the world also start gearing up for the Winter Solstice—a mystical event marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. People come together to honour the day with unique Winter Solstice traditions and rituals. Winter Solstice 2024 in the northern hemisphere will occur on December 21. Also known as the December Solstice, this day marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. The Sinter Solstice is the point at which the path of the sun in the sky is farthest south. Ahead of Winter Solstice 2024, we bring you the December Solstice date, history, significance, fascinating rituals and traditions to mark the shortest day and longest night of the year. November 2024 Festivals, Events and Holidays Calendar: Complete List of Important National and International Days and Dates.
Winter Solstice 2024 Date
The Winter Solstice 2024 is on December 21. The solstice local time in India is at 02:49 PM.
Winter Solstice History and Significance
The Winter Solstice has been recognised as an essential annual event since ancient times. It has been celebrated with feasts and traditions around the world. The observance dates back to the Neolithic (New Stone Age). Astronomical events were often used to guide and monitor farming activities during ancient times. The solstice during winter was important as people were economically dependent on monitoring the progress of the seasons.
The Winter Solstice is at the point at which the path of the sun in the sky is farthest south. During the Winter Solstice, the sun travels the shortest path through the sky, resulting in the day of the year with the least sunlight and the longest night. It must be noted that in the lead-up to the Winter Solstice, the days become shorter and shorter, then on the evening of the solstice in the northern hemisphere, which usually falls on December 21 or December 22, winter officially begins. The days eventually get longer until the Summer Solstice.
Winter Solstice Traditions and Rituals
Across the world, the Winter Solstice is marked by unique traditions and rituals. From brewing mulled cider and eating winter special foods to lightening lanterns, reciting Winter Solstice quotes, preparing for the holiday season, and more, the Winter Solstice is marked with varied traditions. An iconic part of the Winter Solstice celebration is the Yule altar, which honours the return of the sun. People also spend as much time in nature as possible to reflect and anticipate what the new season and new year have in store for them.
The Winter Solstice is known for its astronomical significance and rituals, celebrating nature and setting one’s intentions for the coming season.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 20, 2024 06:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).