Winter solstice, that's why this year it is December 22nd

For thousands of years, the Winter Solstice has been experienced as a spiritual event by many cultures

ROME – At 04:27 on December 22nd it will officially begin, for us in the Northern Hemisphere, winter astronomical with the Winter Solstice. For thousands of years, this day has been experienced as a spiritual event by many cultures and, even today, it has not been forgotten.December 22nd will also be the shortest day of the year.After this date the days will gradually begin to lengthen, reaching peak light with summer solstice (June 20, 2024). The winter solstice always falls in the last ten days of December, but the date may change from year to year.Here's everything you need to know.

WHYÉ THE WINTER SOLSTICE IS DECEMBER 22ND

The Winter Solstice this year falls on December 22, at 04:27 (Italian time). But the date changes from time to time.It can occur on December 20, 21, 22, or even 23, although those on the 20th and 23rd are rare.For example, the last Solstice that occurred on December 23rd was in 1903 and the next one is expected in 2303.

Earth employs 365 days, 5 hours, 48 ​​minutes and 45 seconds to complete an orbit around the Sun.However, the Gregorian calendar, the one we use, only has 365 days. The solstice, therefore, is delayed by about 6 hours every year compared to the previous year.This explains why the date is not always the same.To avoid the progressive divergence of the seasons, the surplus hours are realigned every 4 years with the leap year.

BECAUSE IT IS THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR

'Solstice' derives from the Latin words for 'sol', meaning Sun, and 'sistere' meaning 'to stop':that is, the moment when the Sun stops in its highest point.During the winter solstice the Earth's axis is at the furthest point from the Sun And its rays strike the southern tropical latitude line directly (the Tropic of Capricorn).This results in the minimum amount of daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere.In Italy the daylight hours will be around 9.However, the Earth rotates on a tilted axis, therefore each part of the world will experience a different duration of light. For example, Thule in Greenland (the northernmost city) will not see any hours of sunlight on December 22nd.After the Winter Solstice, daylight hours will gradually begin to increase.

WINTER SOLSTICE AND CHRISTMAS

The pagans celebrated the solstice, the Sol Invictus, and Christians saw some importance in the celebration of light and rebirth, characterized by the beginning of a new year.In Scandinavia, the Juul party it was a pre-Christian festival that celebrated the winter solstice with the lighting of fires.The fires were intended to symbolize the life-giving property of the Sun's heat and light. The word “Juul” is the origin of the word “Yule”, which means “Christmas”.Christians have tried to replace existing pagan celebrations with Christmas, celebrating during that time the birth of Jesus, known as the “true light of the world”.

THE SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONS

In reality, in many cultures and religious traditions, the winter solstice is used to mark the beginning of a year. The winter solstice signifies rebirth, a theme that can be found in many winter celebrations.

Christmas.
The celebration of Jesus Christ falls iDecember 25th, the Roman winter solstice, as established by the Julian calendar.

Dongzhi.
This East Asian holiday is routed into philosophy yin and yang.After the party, there will be more light, and therefore more positive energy.

Saturnalia.
A'ancient Roman festival which originates from the anniversary of the Temple of Saturn on December 17th.The event was celebrated with a banquet, gifts and disguises.The celebration was marked by an abundance of candles, signifying light.

Yalda.
This festival is celebrated at eve of the first day of winter on the Persian calendar. According to Iranian mythology, Mithra, the angel of light and truth, was born at the end of this night after defeating the darkness.

Stonehenge.
One of the most famous winter solstice celebrations in the world takes place in Stonehenge, England.Thousands of people every year gather in the ancient ruins to sing and dance as they wait to see the spectacular sunrise, when the sun rises over the central stone, the Heel Stone.