Long before we had electric lights to stave off the darkness and furnaces to heat our homes from the cold night air, the winter solstice marked a moment of celebration. Ancient cultures all over the globe saw the start of winter as a rebirth and a renewal – celebrating the return of light and the promise of spring. The solstice was a time we welcomed back the sun with the hope of spring to carry us through.
Each year in December in the northern hemisphere the earth tilts the farthest away from the sun, falling to its lowest point on the horizon where it will begin to slowly creep back up and bring a return of longer days. Ancient cultures viewed this turning point as a positive shift from dark to light – a time of regeneration and a return of the light. Celebrations, festivals and fire rituals were held cross-culturally which centered around these themes of light.
Celtic traditions bring us the tales of the Oak King, a symbol of light and vitality, overtaking the Holly King, a symbol of darkness and introspection. Pagan traditions from Scandinavia include the fire festival of Yule where families would burn a log throughout the festivities, up to 12 days to celebrate the solstice. Ashes from the log were saved and used for good luck and protection.
In the Southwestern United States, the Hopi tribe performed the Soyal ceremony, which was one of the most important of the year. 16 days of ceremonies including dancing, gift-giving and storytelling were done, mostly in sacred underground caves called Kivas and marked a time of purification and prayer. Soyal and indeed the month of December was a time when protective spirits called Katchinas brought back the sun.
For centuries in the Persian empire the solstice was a time of the victory of light overcoming the darkness. Sheb-e Yalad, Yalda meaning birth or rebirth, was celebrated in modern day Iran and parts of central Asia. Today families still gather on the solstice to stay up all night telling stories and eating foods like pomegranate and nuts to welcome the return of the sun at dawn.
Continuing East, in China Dongzhi- literally meaning “winter’s arrival” – marks an important spot in the traditional Chinese calendar. It was the time of year where yin energy transitioned to yang energy as the days began to grow longer – a time honored by gathering with family for a hearty meal. In Japan, Toji is associated with customs of eating winter squash or foods that end in “N” for good luck or taking a hot bath with yuzu, a citrus fruit long believed to have healing properties.
And while this one occurs in June, not December, in South America feasts and festivals were held to worship the sun god, Inti, the most revered god in the Inca religion. While this indigenous festival was first banned during the Spanish conquest, it has been revived and festivals are held in Peru.
Across miles and ages we still hold reverence for the solstice with our various traditions, celebrations are lore. It is a time to gather inward with family and celebrate the longer days and warmth to come.