Since ancient times, people all over the world have celebrated the winter solstice festivals. Some past traditions have greatly influenced major holidays that we celebrate today. As you prepare for your own winter holiday season, here are six winter solstice festivals’ traditions from around the world.
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Soyal – The Hopi Tribe’s Winter Solstice Festivals
Soyal is the winter solstice festival of the Hopi tribe. They have been the inhabitants of northern Arizona for over a thousand years. During the winter solstice festivals, tradition has it that the Hopi welcome the protective mountain spirits, or Kachinas, that come down from the San Francisco Peaks to bring back the sun. Prayer sticks are made and used for blessings, dancing, and purification rituals.
Yalda – Iranian Winter Celebrations
The Persian festival Yalda is a celebration of the winter solstice festivals in Iran that can be traced back to ancient times. It marks the last day of the Persian month. In ancient times, the start of the solar year symbolized the victory of light over darkness and the renewal of the sun. Yalda is considered the birthday of the Persian sun god, Mithra, and families take the opportunity to observe these winter solstice festivals’ traditions together.
Inti Raymi – Peruvian Winter Solstice Festivals
Inti Raymi – Peruvian Winter Solstice FestivalsThis winter solstice celebration is in June rather than December since Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere. The festival is in honor of the Inca Sun god. Celebrated by the Inca before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, the Spaniards banned the holiday. But it was revived in the 20th century and is still celebrated today.
Las Posadas – Mexican Celebrations
Las Posadas is a religious festival celebrated in Mexico from the 16th to the 24th of December. The festival commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of lodging for Mary to give birth. Children carrying candles and images of Mary and Joseph lead the procession, The group visits homes requesting lodging and caroling at each stop.
Santa Lucia – Swedish Winter Solstice Festivals
St. Lucia’s Day, the festival of lights, is celebrated in Scandinavia around the time of the winter solstice. Held in honor of St. Lucia, a Christian martyr, the festival has its roots in earlier Norse solstice traditions when fires were lit to ward off spirits during the longest night of the year. Today girls and boys dress up in white gowns, and the girls carry wreaths of candles on their heads in honor of St. Lucia.
Dong Zhi – Chinese Winter Solstice Festivals
The Dongzhi Festival is celebrated in China and East Asia during the winter months. Dongzhi literally translates as ‘the extreme of winter’, and the festival is designed to celebrate the return of longer daylight hours. The origins of the festival can be traced back to the yin/ yang eastern philosophy, Families gather to celebrate between the 21st and 23rd of December, when special foods, such as tang yuan glutinous rice balls, are served. InPeople put the rice balls into the red beans soup and they believe the red beans prevent misfortune.
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