Artigenda
Winter solstice
When: annually, around December 21.
On or around 21 December, winter begins in the northern hemisphere. This is also known as the winter solstice, or December solstice. This is the day astronomically when winter begins and there is the shortest day. After this, the days get longer.
This day not only has an important value for astronomers. The day also plays a role in various religions, festivals and stories. There is only a difference when it comes to the start of winter. Meteorologists assume a different date when winter begins. That is on December 1.
Tropic of Capricorn
So astronomical winter begins on or around 21 December. So this does not always have to be on that day. Sometimes it is on 20 December, sometimes on 21 December and sometimes on 22 December. This depends on when the sun is perpendicular to the Tropic of Capricorn. How long the day or how short the day is next depends on the geographical location in the northern hemisphere.
Every year, it is not just a different date on which all this takes place. It is also about a different time. A complete overview can be found via this website. This is the US government’s Astronimical Applications Department.
This is not the same as the equinox. That is a different phenomenon, namely the beginning of spring or the beginning of autumn. The term summer solstice heralds summer and takes place on or around June 21 in the northern hemisphere and so does the winter solstice in December. Pretty tricky, isn’t it?
Source: Unsplash.
Stonehenge
It gets especially tricky when you consider that not one religion gave value to all this. That was a lot of religions and ancient cultures. Consider, for instance, the Neolithic civilisation responsible for building Stonehenge. In any case, this site is associated with the summer solstice because that is when the sun rises behind the site.
There is also a relationship between the celebration of Christmas and ancient midwinter festivals. Think of the festivals of the old Germanic tribes and the Scandinavian yule or yule festival. Roman midwinter festivals also played an important role. In an attempt to eliminate all these pagan festivals, the church decided to introduce alternatives.
The darkest time
Besides weather conditions, this period of the year also has a certain significance for humans. It is the darkest time of the year. Hence the need for light in that darkness. Especially on a short day. This may be especially important on a day like today.
More information
Interested to learn more Watch the video below from Met Office.
Image on top of this page: Unsplash.
