![]() ![]() Although celebrated today in honor of St. Lucia’s DayĪround the winter solstice, Scandinavians celebrate St. As the days are expected to have longer daylight, it is believed that more good energy will flow in. Special delicacies such as Tang Yuan (glutinous rice balls) are eaten on this day. It is said that it began as a harvest festival when workers returned from the fields and shared the harvest with their families. According to the ancient Chinese celestial calendar, the holiday usually takes place between December 21 and 23. Even the slaves did not have to work and were briefly considered equals during the many days of games, feasts and gifts.ĭong Zhi, meaning "arrival of winter," is a time when families traditionally gather to celebrate the year. This festival, which commemorated the end of the planting season, took place around the time of the winter solstice. The connection between the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia and today's Christmas is perhaps the closest. It is believed that the more pomegranate seeds and the further they travel, the more abundance and fertility there will be. In this particular celebration, a pomegranate is thrown to the ground and depending on the number of seeds and how far they go, the fate of winter is indicated. So, it is not surprising that it is included in the celebrations of the beginning of winter and the journey of the sun. This fruit, which has similar significance in many cultures, was also of great importance in the Ottoman Empire and Anatolia. Smashing Pomegranates Traditionĭid you know that in classical mythology, pomegranates represent fertility and abundance? Pomegranates were also considered sacred in cultures such as ancient Egypt and Judaism, and played an important role in other cultures as well. Families gather to celebrate, eat special delicacies such as almonds and pomegranates, and some people stay up all night to welcome the dawn. ![]() Yalda is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of Mithra (the sun god) and the triumph of light over darkness. The Persian month of Azar comes to an end on this day. In Iran, the winter solstice has long been celebrated with the Persian holiday Yalda, also known as Shab-e Yalda, Yalda Night. Here are some interesting celebrations to read about when the days start getting longer again. These traditions have shaped the festivals we celebrate today. Since ancient times, people from all parts of the world have honored this important astronomical event and celebrated the return of the sun in different ways. The longest night of the year, the winter solstice, is upon us! The winter solstice has been celebrated for many years as a turning point in people's lives.
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