The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere โ and the official start of winter.
This year, the winter solstice falls on Sunday, December 21, at 3:03 pm, when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky at midday.
What happens during the winter solstice?
On this day, places north of the equator receive the fewest hours of daylight. In London, for example, daylight lasts just 7 hours, 49 minutes, and 42 seconds, nearly nine hours shorter than during the June solstice.
Despite the darker skies, the solstice also signals a turning point: days begin getting longer again starting the next day, leading up to the summer solstice in June.
Why does the winter solstice happen?
The phenomenon, according to the Royal Museums of Greenwich, is caused by the Earthโs 23.4-degree tilt on its axis.
During summer, the North Pole tilts toward the sun, bringing longer days. And on winter, it tilts away, shortening daylight hours.
The situation is reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, where December 21 marks the longest day of the year.
What does โsolsticeโ mean?
The word solstice comes from Latin word sol โ sun, and sistere โ โto stand still.โ
It refers to the moment when the sun appears to pause before reversing direction in the sky.
Why was the winter solstice important to ancient cultures?
For thousands of years, the winter solstice symbolized renewal and rebirth.
The ancient Egyptians and Romans used it to mark the passing of seasons.
In northern Europe, Germanic peoples celebrated it as Yule, a tradition dating back to the Norse while druid priests in ancient Britain marked the day with rituals involving mistletoe and animal sacrifices
Historians suggest some practices were also practical, helping communities survive food shortages during winter.
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