Since June 22, every day is waning - the nights are getting longer and the days are getting shorter. The maximum, when we observe the longest night and the shortest day, is reached on December 22. It is from this date that the period begins when the day begins to increase and the night shortens.
The longest night
If you want to get enough sleep, then December 22nd will be the most successful for you. Astronomers have noticed that the longest night is observed in the Northern Hemisphere on this day. And the very next day, when the day begins to increase, there will be more and more daylight hours.
On December 22, the sun rises to its lowest point above the horizon. There is a fairly simple scientific explanation for this. The Earth's orbit is ellipsoidal. The Earth at this time is at the farthest point of the orbit. Therefore, the Sun in the Northern Hemisphere in December rises above the horizon to a minimum height, and the peak of this minimum falls on December 22.
Exact date or not?
It is customary to consider the date when the day will begin to increase, December 22. In all calendars, it is celebrated as the Winter Solstice. But to be absolutely precise andtake into account all the modern studies of astronomers and physicists, then we will have to state this fact. The position of the solar luminary for several days before the solstice and after does not change its inclination at all. And only 2-3 days after the solstice it can be stated that the time has come when daylight begins to increase.
So if you follow the scientific research, the answer to the question of when the day will begin to increase will be - December 24-25. It is from this period that the nights become a little shorter, and the daylight hours become longer and longer. But at the household level, information has firmly settled that the time when daylight hours begin to increase falls on December 22.
Such an inaccuracy is forgiven by scientists. After all, sometimes folk signs based on centuries-old observations are much more tenacious than the latest modern research.
Gold for important news
Slavs not only celebrated December 22 as the date when the day begins to increase in winter, but also carefully watched the weather set during these days, how birds and animals behave.
It is on December 22 that the folk proverb "The sun - for the summer, winter - for the frost" is attributed. If frost fell on the trees that day, it was considered a good omen. So, be a rich crop of cereals.
Interestingly, in the 16th century in Russia, the bell ringer of the Moscow Cathedral himself went to the tsar with"important" information. He reported that the Sun would burn brighter, that the nights would henceforth be shorter, and the days would become longer. In general, he did not let the king forget the date when the day was added. The importance of such a report can be judged by the fact that the king always rewarded the headman with a gold coin. After all, the news was joyful - winter is waning. And although there were still cold January snowfalls and severe February frosts ahead of the inhabitants of Russia, the very fact that day beats night was optimistic.
Glory to the next spring
Why was such attention paid to the Winter Solstice in ancient times? After all, modern people remember him very rarely, and even more so they do not mark the date when the daylight hours begin to increase. Unless they mention it in the news in a short line, that's all. But our ancestors, whose life depended entirely on the Sun and heat, celebrated this date widely and massively.
Huge bonfires were lit on the streets, both adults and children jumped over them. The girls danced round dances, and the guys competed who would show strength and ingenuity. In ancient Russia, the shortest day of the year was celebrated joyfully and loudly. But Europe did not lag behind.
Sun wheel on ancient monuments
In Europe, immediately after the Winter Solstice, pagan holidays started, which lasted exactly 12 days, according to the number of months. People had fun, went to visit, praised nature and rejoiced at the beginning of a new life.
There was an interesting custom in Scotland. An ordinary barrel was smeared with melted resin,then it was set on fire and rolled down the street. It was the so-called sun wheel, or otherwise - the solstice. The burning wheel resembled the Sun, it seemed to people that they could control the heavenly body. Such a solstice was made both in ancient Russia and in other European countries.
It is interesting that archaeologists find the image of the sun wheel in various countries: in India and Mexico, in Egypt and Gaul, in Scandinavia and Western Europe. Such rock paintings are also present in large numbers in Buddhist monasteries. By the way, among other names, the Buddha is also called the "King of Wheels". The ancient people really wanted to control the Sun.
Male power of nature
Massively celebrated the date when the day is added, and in France, where people held costumed festivals and gave real balls. Accompanied by musicians, the people on December 22 walked through the streets as if they were going to a demonstration. In the days of the Gauls, it was believed that it was imperative to pick a branch of mistletoe on this day, which would bring happiness to the house.
But in ancient China at this time began the season of mass vacations. It was believed that along with the energy of the Sun, masculine power awakens in nature. A new life cycle begins, which promises happiness. Everyone celebrated this date - both nobles and commoners. And so that work does not interfere with fun, almost everyone, from the emperor to laborers, went on vacation. Shops closed, people went to visit, gave gifts and made sacrifices.
TodayThe tradition of celebrating the winter solstice has practically disappeared. Modern man does not look at the sky too often and believes that he does not really depend on the Sun. But a completely erroneous opinion. It is the Sun that is the source of all life on earth.
