Winter Solstice 2020: What Does Solstice Mean? When, Why Does It Happen

It is Winter Solstice tomorrow. Historically Winter Solstice marks the start of Christmas and New 12 months celebrations worldwide. Winter Solstice is that day of the yr once we see fewest hours of daylight. After Winter Solstice, days begin changing into longer and nights shorter for folks within the Northern Hemisphere and it is simply the reverse within the Southern Hemisphere. Let’s check out when and why Winter Solstice occurs, and the traditions related to it. Nations and cultures have distinctive methods of celebrating Winter Solstice. This yr, the day is particular because it coincides with a shocking celestial occasion – the ‘Nice Conjunction’ of the Jupiter and Saturn, taking place after practically 400 years.

What’s Solstice? 

The world ‘solstice’ is derived from a Latin phrase that means the ‘stalled solar’. Each Summer season and Winter Solstices are astronomical occasions marking the motion of the Solar and alter within the length of day and night time time. 

When is Winter Solstice? 

Winter Solstice within the Northern Hemisphere, takes place between December 19 and 23. This yr it’s on Monday, December 21.

Northern Hemisphere Winter Solstice Time and Date in India
(North America, Central America, Europe, Asia, northern Africa)

December Solstice in New Delhi, India is on twenty first December, 15:32 IST

Winter Solstice: On this present day of the yr we see the fewest hours of daylight. After Winter Solstice days begin getting longer

Why does Winter Solstice occur?

Round this time yearly, international locations within the Northern Hemisphere are farthest from the Solar and the Solar shines overhead on the Tropic of Capricorn. The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 levels because it rotates across the Solar. This phenomena causes the motion of the Solar from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa bringing in seasonal adjustments within the yr. 

Winter Solstice: Historical past and traditions

• Historical Romans celebrated the day in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture. Every week-long celebration would lead as much as the Winter Solstice.
• In the UK, folks historically collect at Stonehenge to look at the dawn and sundown on Winter Solstice. However this yr, owing to the pandemic, the gatherings will not be allowed however folks can watch it on-line. Historians and archeologists imagine that Stonehenge was instantly linked to monitoring the annual motion of the Solar.
• A Winter Solstice in Japan is named Toji. The Japanese imagine that the Solar will get stronger from this present day, bringing with it luck for the folks.
• The Chinese language name the Winter Solstice Dong Zhi that means ‘winter arrives’. Individuals have a good time and welcome the return of longer days.
• The traditional Norsemen in Scandinavia celebrated Yuletide on Winter Solstice. Because the Solar returns to the Northern Hemisphere, males within the household would carry house massive logs, which got here to be generally known as Yuletide logs. Individuals would mild the logs and feast round it.
• Winter Solstice in Iran is named Chelleh night time. Persians on Winter Solstice prepare dinner particular meals like lamb stew, dishes with dry walnuts and pomegranates. They mild a fireplace, learn poetry and sit collectively round a fireplace.