7 winter solstice traditions and celebrations from around the world

Winter solstice traditions and celebrations have existed for centuries. There are two solstices every year that occur in the summer and winter; the summer solstice happens in June, and the winter solstice happens in December. These winter solstice celebrations happen when the sun is either at its most northern position or most southern. Today, you can still find traces of those winter solstice celebrations and traditions that go back to centuries.

If you’re looking to add a day of celebration to your travel calendar during this cold season, take a look at these winter solstice traditions from around the world and the history behind them.

1- Saturnalia 

The Saturnalia celebration is one that has been passed down from ancient Rome and was used to honor the god of agriculture—Saturn. Traditionally, it was a one-day celebration occurring in mid-December, but in recent years, it has become a week-long party. The key to this celebration is indulgence and frivolousness. The partiers partake in festivities such as gambling, drinking, giving gifts, and overall merriment and silliness. It is believed that there is a direct influence of the Saturnalia upon Christmas and New Year, and other modern Christian celebrations.

2- St. Lucia's Day 

Lucia was one of the first Christian martyrs ever recorded. The Scandinavian people honor and celebrate her in their winter solstice tradition on December 13, the shortest day of the year in the old Julian calendar. Lucia was a young Christian woman who would bring food to the persecuted Christians hiding in the catacombs, and wore a hat of candles so she had both her hands free to carry the food. On St. Lucia Day, also known as the Festival of Lights, the girls of Scandinavia wear white dresses with a red sash and a crown made of candles (usually electric now), to honor both Lucia’s charity, sacrifice, and the darkest day of the year.

3- Dong Zhi

Dong Zhi is the name of the Solstice celebration in China, which literally translates from Chinese to English as "Winter Arrives." There is no clear definition of when this winter solstice tradition began or why. Many speculate that that day is the one day per year that farmers and fishers would take off to spend time with their families. Others believe it was just a way to celebrate the return of longer days. While it used to be a major tradition in China, the celebration is no longer an official holiday in China, though that does not stop many people from celebrating. On that day, the people of China who celebrate honor their ancestors. Food is also part of the tradition, and most people eat dumplings which is considered the major element of this celebration, in addition to other traditional foods.

4- Shab-e Yalda

The festival of Shab-e Yalda is celebrated by Iranian people all over the world. The English meaning for Shab-e Yalda is "Night of Birth," which ties into the winter solstice being the longest and darkest night of the year. According to traditions, there is much evil on the night of Shab-e Yalda, and those who celebrate this night pray. They gather to protect themselves and each other from the evil that lurks around on this night. They eat pomegranates, nuts, and other foods to banish different types of evil for the coming year. They read poetry, mostly from Hafez, a 14 century Iranian writer, and spend the night making wishes. Another common custom of Shab-e Yalda is to stay up all night to watch the sunrise in the morning. Legend has it that when the sun rises, it brings with it the banishing of all evil.

5- Shalako

Shalako, a ceremony conducted by the Zuni Indians, is a festival to honor the start of the new year. The Shalako festival is a sacred celebration to the Native American people where they wear tradition clothes and masks, and dance in gratitude for the good things that came that year (such as a good harvest or the blessing of new houses in the community). Traditionally, the celebration takes place the 49th day after the 10th full moon, but now the Zuni people celebrate it the weekend closest to the 49th day after the 10th full moon because they have to work during the week. During the winter Solstice, the Zuni Indians dance and fast for days before the Solstice. The day of, they dance the night away. 

6- Soyal 

The Hopi are a Native American Tribe from Arizona and they celebrate the winter solstice through the festivity of Soyal. The Sun Chief of the Hopi tribe, one who watches the sun all year and tells them things like when to plant their crops based on his study of the sun. He also announces the setting of the sun on the day of the solstice and then an all-night celebration begins. They have kindling fires, dancing, and gift-giving. The winter solstice celebration is simply all the more important as it signifies the start of a new year and a time for purification and renewal. During this winter solstice ceremony Kachina dances are performed. The Kachinas are spirits with power that benefit communities, just like rainfalls benefit human beings and mother earth.

7- Inti Raymi

Unlike many other winter solstice traditions on this list, this Peruvian occasion is celebrated in June, in the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Cusco. But during that month, weather in Peru is cold and rainy, and is considered winter. In this winter solstice tradition, Inca and indigenous cultures celebrate the Sun God. Most specifically, they celebrate their connection to the God, that resembles the return of the sun during the winter solstice.

These winter solstice traditions and celebrations are a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth putting on your bucket list for your next winter travel!

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