This is an interesting one since 12 days of Christmas is a tradition far more popular in the United States than it is in Scandinavia. Winter Solstice traditions vary by time and place, but one common thread weaves through them all: light. The Yule season historically began at midnight on December 22, the longest day of the year, and continued for 12 days. Here are some winter solstice celebrations from around the world and the history behind them. Chinese winter solstice festival is called Dong Zhi and is celebrated between December 21st and December 23rd. Traditions - Nordstjernan 9 Interesting Winter Solstice Celebrations Around the World. How Different Cultures Around The World Celebrate Winter ... Yule, now commonly referred to as Christmastide, is a celebration of rebirth and the longer days of sunshine ahead. Traditionally, Midsummer was celebrated on June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist, but the holiday has its roots in … The Celtic winter solstice was later mixed with the Roman tradition of Saturnalia, the Scandinavian Yule tradition and Christian Christmas. Leading up to Christmas, we’ll be decorating Christmas trees, ringing in the Winter Solstice and eating a few saffron buns for St. Lucia Day on December 13. According to the old Julian calendar, December 13, the date traditionally given for St. Lucia’s martyrdom, was also the longest night of the year. In Druidic tradition, Winter Solstice is seen as a time of rebirth when Nature’s powers are renewed. Germany and Scandinavia are the birthplaces of Yule. Yay! In Scandinavia, people have Yule and St. Lucia's Day, while evidence of similar traditions were observed by the Romans, Japanese and Indigenous Americans, as well. The Yule Log pastry, often decorated with nuts, cream, or cheese (or all three) is also a symbol of the Yule fire, which before burning was inscribed with runes, and decorated with sprigs of other trees – particularly holly, which stayed green all year – another reminder of the coming of the light. One thing we do in our household to mark the solstice is quite simple and involves making Yule bread. Here's a read-aloud video: The ancient Germanic/Norse year was divided into two seasons: Summer and Winter. It has been celebrated in just about every culture around the globe for thousands of years. Yule is widely understood to be a 12-day celebration that begins on the eve of the Winter Solstice and ends at the New Year. Some believe that celebrating the birth of the “true light of the world” was set in synchronization with the In Wicca … One of those traditional winter solstice celebrations was the Yule Goat. In Sweden, Midsummer’s Eve is one of the most important days of the year, rivaling Christmas with its festive spirit and traditions. by Matthias Kamann. Celebrated in the Scandinavian nations, this festival of lights honours the eponymous saint as well as paying tribute to early Norse solstice traditions. Within the run-up to Christmas, some individuals in Norway nonetheless observe the day of Santa Lucia, or Saint Lucy. People greet the winter solstice inside an ancient tomb in Ireland. Nowadays, when we hear about the Yule log, most people think of a deliciously rich chocolate dessert. And it’s a great excuse to throw a party. The oldest evidence we have for a possible Scandinavian yuletide feast, was described by the 6th century Byzantine chronicler Procopius, who mentioned that the inhabitants of Scandinavia (called “Thule”) celebrated a feast for the returning sun, some time after the winter solstice (Nordberg 2006: 156).The earliest Old Norse … While the modern Scandinavian holiday marking the … The pagan Scandinavian and Germanic people of northern Europe celebrated a twelve-day "midwinter" (winter solstice) holiday called Yule (also called Jul, Julblot, jólablót, midvinterblot, julofferfest). St. Lucia’s Day. Modern Solstice Traditions Around the World. Nevertheless, the 12 days of Christmas originates from the 12-day long midwinter feast celebrated by the Vikings every winter solstice (the shortest day and longest night of the year). The ritual was observed in the 6th century by the Byzantine chronicler Procopius, who … Christmas is also referred to as Yule, a word derived from the Norse jól or Juul , referring to the pre-Christian pre-Christian festival observed in Scandinavia at the time of the winter solstice. Pagan winter solstice celebrations in England and Scandinavia Several pagan feasts celebrated at winter solstice in Northern Europe form the roots of modern Christmas. The word Yule comes from the nordic word Jol which means the Wheel. Winter solstice or Yule is a festival of light. See more ideas about winter solstice, solstice, yule. The Romans had Saturnalia. Walpurgis Night. Celebrated on April 30, Walpurgis Night, also called Valborg Night, is a Viking pagan festival that marked the coming of spring.Midsummer. When June arrives, the flower garlands that adorn the Swedish house indicate that midsummer, or Midsommardagen, has arrived.Swedish Christmas. ...Easter. ... Observing Winter Solstice was a ritual. Hǫkunótt - a Norse pagan Yule feast. If you’ve always felt like Santa Claus didn’t engage in enough petty crime during his visits, … Winter Solstice Traditions & Rituals. For the Greeks, it was Kronia. We take a look at some of the traditions and rituals from around the world that welcome in the winter solstice, taking place on December 21st! For 5,000 years, people have been … Finland looks as we imagine Santa Claus’ workshop in the North Pole, and Fins like to joke … Yule Goat – Julbock. 1 St. Lucia’s Day. The Solstice and Other Winter Holidays Yule-Wiccan Traditions. ... Before the adoption of the Julian calendar in the 1300s, December 13 marked the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Winter Solstice is still celebrated there a few days before Christmas, and anyone can buy tickets to experience the sunrise and Druid and Pagan traditions. The earliest surviving observations of the winter solstice are said to come from the areas now known as Ireland and Scotland. In Celtic mythology seasons are created by two nature gods: the oak king and the holly king. The winter solstice was called Jul or Yule, this roughly translated means wheel and was characterised by being troubled by the spirits of winter and death. The earliest mention of Yule is found in the work of a chronicler and prolific historian called Bede, an English monk who was instrumental in the spread of Catholic Christianity in Northern England. During pre-Christian Scandinavia, Yule, or Juul, was a 12-day long feast celebrating the return of the sun. The winter solstice celebrations at Newgrange in Ireland are among the most difficult to attend in the world. Unlike Europeans, the Chinese didn’t change their winter holiday traditions much – the festival’s history can be traced to the Han Dynasty (206 BC -220 AD). The Romans had Saturnalia. These feasts are reminiscent of the current Julbord or Smorgasbord (more on that below). Photo credit: Lightscape. Many ancient civilizations celebrated the winter solstice. It heralds the beginning of longer days, after the shortest and darkest days of the season. Yule is also known as Alban Arthan, which was one of the “Lesser Sabbats” of the Wiccan year in a time when ancient believers celebrated the rebirth of the Sun God and days with more light. In pre-Christian Scandinavia, the Feast of Juul, or Yule, lasted for 12 days celebrating the rebirth of the sun and giving rise to the custom of burning a Yule log. So for Sweden I would say St Lucy's Day. It is traditionally celebrated by chopping down a tree on the winter solstice and feeding the whole log into the fire. Celebrating Winter Solstice. Additionally, only 60 people are able to enter each year for the winter solstice celebration. The winter solstice has represented a time of death and rebirth for many ancient traditions, and these beliefs gave birth to a variety of different celebrations. The Lucia procession and other Scandinavian Christmas traditions will be the focus of the annual Scandinavian Christmas Fair on December 4th, at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Use our tips and recipes to ensure your Winter Solstice Party is the best it can be. It heralds the beginning of longer days, after the shortest and darkest days of the season. Winter Solstice 2020: Traditions, History & Cultural Significance. Lohri, a celebration of the end of winter and the harvest season, is one of … In Scandinavia, fires symbolize the heat, light and life-giving properties of the Sun, with a Yule log burned on the hearth in honor of the Scandinavian god, Thor. Winter solstice, which takes place in late December, can be a profound way to tune into the magic and beauty of the season. Yule Traditions: Decorate Yule Tree Writing in 725 A.D., Bede described the holidays of pagan Britons, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and other Germanic groups, noting that the old pagan calendar c… Dongzhi Festival. Nevertheless, the 12 days of Christmas originates from the 12-day long midwinter feast celebrated by the Vikings every winter solstice (the shortest day and longest night of the year). Winter Solstice has been celebrated in cultures the world over for thousands of years. The date varies with location, but it always falls before or after December 21st each year. Darkness has reached its peak. While we may not be having the Yule goat, we can celebrate with a Christmas ham, as many Nordic countries do. The winter solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year, and from here the days gradually increase in length and bring us spring and summer.
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