A country where December 21 is the longest day. When is the shortest day of the year? How long does it last? Duality of winter and summer solstice

Any of us has noticed more than once that in winter the Sun rises later and sets much earlier than in summer. The days at this time are the shortest for the whole year, but there is one day among them that is shorter than all the others.


What number is it? How long does it last? And why does it happen? The answers to these questions are simple and have been known for a long time. Cause of the short day is a natural phenomenon called the winter solstice.

What is a solstice?

The solstice is understood as an event during which the Sun passes through the points of the section of the celestial sphere, as far as possible from its equator. In other words, the shortest day falls on the moment when the angle of deviation of its axis from the Sun acquires the greatest value.

in plain language, with the onset of autumn, the sun sets lower and lower to the horizon, and the day becomes shorter and shorter. Over time, it reaches its lowest point, stops above the horizon, and then begins to rise. The day when the Sun is at its lowest point is the shortest.

Since ancient times, this event was considered the most important milestone in the annual cycle and played a significant role in people's lives. Many nationalities, on the basis of the solstice, compiled annual calendars, held holidays and feasts.


In Rus', the shortest day was celebrated with the celebration of the Solstice, which, according to the ideas of the ancient Slavs, was the birthday of the Sun.

When is the solstice?

In general, the solstice occurs 2 times a year - in winter and summer, but if in winter period we observe the shortest day, then in the summer - the longest. At the summer solstice, the height of the rise of our star becomes the highest, and the angle of the planet's axis of rotation takes on the smallest value.

That is, if by winter the Sun drops to its lowest point, and then rises above the horizon again, then by summer, on the contrary, it reaches its highest point, and then begins to sink. The timing of this event varies by hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice is in December and the summer solstice is in July. In the southern hemisphere, the opposite is true.

What is the shortest day of the year?

Day winter solstice may fall on different dates: in the northern hemisphere - on December 21 or 22, in the southern - on July 20 or 21. It all depends on the shift of the calendar and on the type of year - ordinary or leap year.


For the first time, the date of the shortest day was established in 45 BC by the commander Julius Caesar. Then the astronomical event took place on December 25th.

Over the past two thousand years, this date has changed several times, since every 400 years the solstice shifts by about 3 days. In particular, by the 16th century, the Sun was the lowest above the horizon on December 12, that is, the difference with the original date was 13 days.

At the end of the 16th century, Pope Gregory XIII decided to bring the civil and seasonal calendar into line. He invalidated the 10-day shift that occurred from the 4th to the 17th century, but did not take into account the 3-day shift that occurred from 45 BC until the 4th century. As a result, according to the Julian calendar, the winter solstice began to be celebrated on December 21–22.

How long is the shortest day?

The length of the day at the winter solstice varies with latitude. It is generally accepted that in the central regions of the northern hemisphere it lasts 5 hours and 53 minutes. In different areas the globe this figure can vary considerably.

For example, in areas located on the equator, the day is almost equal to the night. In the region of the Arabian Peninsula, it lasts about 11 hours, and in Moscow - about 6 hours and 56 minutes.


In regions located in the northern Arctic, the Sun may not rise above the horizon at all, that is, during this period there is a polar night. In areas located beyond the Antarctic Circle, everything happens the other way around - on December 21, the polar day reigns there, and the Sun does not set throughout the day.

Thus, the closer to the equator in the northern hemisphere, the longer the shortest day, and the closer to the equator in the southern hemisphere, the shorter it is.

The shortest day in 2018, as usual, will be the winter solstice. This day, or rather the phenomenon, always happens in December. The exact date and time of the winter solstice 2018 is now known.

The ancient Slavs called this day the Day of renewal and the birth of the Sun. Some nations even celebrated New Year on the winter solstice. Date of the winter solstice in 2018: December 21. During this period, the longest night and the shortest day.

The shortest day in 2018 is expected on Friday, December 21, 2018. In Russia, the shortest day is December 22 due to time differences. The longest night in 2018 is the night from 22 to 23 December. The winter solstice will occur at 22:23 UTC December 21 or 01:23 December 22 UTC.

The shortest day in the current year lasts only 7 hours and 20 seconds. The shortest December day in 2018 was 10 hours and 33 minutes shorter than the June solstice. The night from 22 to 23 December will last 17 hours.

On the day of the winter solstice, the daytime luminary occupies the lowest position above the horizon, while in the summer on the day of the summer solstice it is at its maximum. After the winter solstice, the day will slowly and gradually increase, and the night will decrease.

Despite the fact that the phenomenon of the solstice has an astronomical nature, people have identified some traditions over time that should be followed so that December 21 is successful. So, on this date it is customary to do the cleaning. In order to meet the period when the visible day will increase in duration, people throw out all unnecessary things from the house. The reason for this is the desire to let solar energy into your home, freeing up as much space as possible for it.

In addition, in order to restore material order in your home, you need to clear your thoughts of negativity. To do this, it is worth joining the lovers of meditation practices or reading a prayer, which will make it possible to express what is sore and let go of all grievances and fears.

All sorts of rituals of divination are very popular on the Day of the winter solstice. This is due to the fact that on this date there is a plentiful energy surge, which allows you to look into the future and find answers to many questions that concern a person. At the same time, you can make a wish that will surely come true, thanks to the large flows of solar energy on the planet.

Of course, it is worth congratulating your loved ones on the Winter Solstice Day on December 21, 2018. It is just as joyful a holiday as many others that are celebrated throughout the year. He has great importance for people, and therefore highlighted as a separate date in the calendar.

The weather that will accompany people on the date of December 21 will not last another 10 days. If a snowstorm comes on the Winter Solstice, then we should expect a snowy New Year.

You can find out about an excellent harvest in the coming year, look at the branches of trees on December 21. If they are covered with frost, then field workers should rejoice good news. In order for many berries to be born in the coming year, it is necessary to cut a branch from a cherry tree and put it in water. If it begins to reduce to the Christmas holiday, then it will be possible to reap the berry fruits. A large number of fruits can be portended by weather without wind and blizzards. In order to independently attract a rich harvest, it is worth going out into the garden and shaking the tree that gives fruit.

Spring is expected to be wet and rainy if it rains on the Winter Solstice.

From this article, you will find out when the days of the summer and winter solstices, as well as the autumn and spring equinoxes, come.

The shortest and longest days throughout the year are called solstice days, which are summer and winter, and the time when days and nights are equal is equinoxes, spring and autumn. Learn more about these days.

When, in what month in winter, will daylight hours turn into profit and start growing?

The shortest day in winter winter solstice- We are on December 21 or 22. On one of these days, the smallest day of the year, in the northern hemisphere, in mid-latitudes, it lasts 5 hours and 53 minutes, then the day will increase and the night will decrease.

The closer to the Arctic Circle, the shorter the day. Beyond the line of the Arctic Circle, the sun may not appear at all at this time.

Attention. According to the old style, the winter solstice coincided with Christmas. In the old days, this time was very honored: they festively decorated their house, prepared kutya from wheat, and baked pies and gingerbread from the flour of the new harvest. By the New Year and Christmas holidays, they fed animals (pig, calf) in spring and summer to slaughter Christmas time and cook delicious meat dishes.

day at the equator all year round in magnitude the same as the night (12 hours).

As for the southern hemisphere, everything is different there: when we, in the northern latitudes, have the winter solstice, they have the summer solstice.

This is interesting. The first day of the winter solstice was established by Julius Caesar. This happened in 45 BC. Then that day was December 25th.

When, on what date, is the shortest day and longest night of the year, and how long does it last?

Longest day of the year ( summer solstice) occurs on June 20, but may be on June 21 or 22 (depending on the shift in the calendar associated with the leap year). For Moscow, the length of the day is 17 hours 33 minutes, and then the days begin to be shorter and the nights longer.

How can the summer solstice be explained? This is the day when the sun reaches its highest point at noon. highest point over the horizon. After this day, the sun begins to go down, and this continues until December 21 or 22.

In the old days, beliefs were associated with this day:

• At this time, healers collected healing herbs, since the largest beneficial features plants are showing up right now.
• On the night after the summer solstice, the girls told fortunes about the betrothed, he certainly showed up.
• From that day on, it was possible to swim in reservoirs, and earlier it was forbidden, since, according to legend, devils sat in the water. From that day on, they left for a short time, until the feast of Elijah (August 2).

Note. According to the old style, the summer solstice coincided with Ivanov's day.

By how much will daylight hours begin to increase after December 22?

December 21 or 22 is considered the shortest day, but in fact the next few days are of this duration, and only on December 24-25 the day is added.

At first, the addition of the day is imperceptible, since it increases by 1 minute, and then in the evening, and in the morning the sun rises even later, and then the increase in the day is noticeable, and on March 20-22, the day becomes the same size as the night, about 12 hours.

Interesting. But on other planets of our Universe, the length of the day for some planets is similar to the earth day, for others it is completely different. Day length on other planets(in Earth hours):

• Jupiter - 9 hours
• Saturn - close to 10 o'clock
• Uranus - close to 13 hours
• Neptune - close to 15 hours
• Mars - 24 hours 39 minutes
• Mercury - close to 60 of our days
• Venus - 243 our days

From what day do the days become longer than the nights?

After a day spring equinox, which occurs from March 20 to March 22 (each year differently, due to a leap day shift), the day becomes longer than the night.

For the Slavs, the feast of the Forty Saints is associated with the day of the vernal equinox.. On this day, birds (larks) were baked from pastry, and spring was called, and with it from distant lands, the first birds.

In many Asian countries (former Soviet republics V Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran), the vernal equinox is the New Year.

In Russia (middle latitude), from the days of the equinox and solstice, among the people, it is customary to start Countdown And time of the year:

• Spring - from the 20th of March to the 20th of June
• Summer - from the 20th of June to the 20th of September
• Autumn - from the 20th of September to the 20th of December
• Winter - from the 20th of December to the 20th of March

When is the longest day and shortest night of the year, and how many days are there?

The longest day in 2017 was June 21st. For several days, the days were just as long (17 hours 33 minutes), and from June 24 the days began to decrease.

When, from what date in the summer, daylight hours will begin to decrease?

If we take data for Moscow, then the longest day was 17 hours 33 minutes.

For Moscow, the days will decrease in the following sequence:

• By the end of June, the day had decreased by 6 minutes, and became 17 hours 27 minutes
• For July - for 1 hour 24 minutes, the duration of the day is 16 hours 3 minutes
• For August - for 2 hours 8 minutes, the day lasts 13 hours 51 minutes
• Until the day of the equinox (September 24), the day will decrease by 1 hour 45 minutes, the duration of the day is 12 hours 2 minutes

When does the night get longer than the day?

Autumn equinox day comes from 21 to 23 September, when the day is the same length as the night, about 12 hours. After this day, the night begins to increase and the day to decrease.

After the day of the equinox, the length of the day decreases even more:

• At the end of September, the day lasts 11 hours and 35 minutes
• In October, the day will decrease by 2 hours 14 minutes, and at the end of the month it will be 9 hours 16 minutes
• In November, the day decreases not so intensively, by 1 hour 44 minutes, the length of the day is 7 hours 28 minutes
• Until the day of the winter solstice (December 21), the day will decrease by 28 minutes, the length of the day is 7 hours, the night is 17 hours

It is noteworthy that on days equal in duration to nights (autumn and spring equinoxes), the sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west.

So, we found out when the longest and shortest day of the year.

Video: Solstices and Equinoxes

After the longest day comes the most short night. According to old Slavic beliefs, it was a magical time: the forces useful plants increased many times, the bridegrooms certainly showed the suitors. Swimming before this day was strictly forbidden, as it was believed that in the water. On the summer solstice, the devils left the water until the beginning of August, so they bathed and doused themselves with water all day.

When pagan traditions were supplanted by Christian ones, this holiday was called the day of John the Baptist. And since John baptized by dipping in water, it turned out to be the day of Ivan Kupala. Planted on the fertile soil of ancient beliefs, the holiday has taken root and has come down to our days as a dousing.

In the old calendar, the summer solstice and Ivanov's day coincided, but according to the new style, the holiday has shifted to July 7th.

Winter solstice

The winter solstice was celebrated even in primitive communities, when, before the long winter, people slaughtered all the cattle that they could not feed, and arranged a feast. Later this day received a different meaning - the awakening of life. The most famous holiday of the solstice is the medieval Yule among the Germanic peoples. On the night after which the sun begins to rise higher, fires were burned in the fields, crops and trees were consecrated, and cider was brewed.

IN Greek mythology Hades, the lord of the underworld, was allowed to visit Olympus only two days a year - on the summer and winter solstices.

The calendar we are used to says that the year begins on the first of January and is divided into 12 months. But nature has its own laws, which, unfortunately, are poorly coordinated with astronomy. However, our ancestors knew and honored the laws of nature. The most important holiday in the annual cycle was the winter solstice - when will it be in 2019 and what practices are recommended for everyone? Read the details in this article.

What happens on this day?

First of all, let's figure out what the winter solstice is. On this day we can observe the longest night and the shortest day of the year. Magic time, isn't it? Our ancestors did not doubt it.

Holiday dates:

• December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere (these are all countries above the equator);
• June 20 or 21 - in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, most countries Latin America and etc.).

The exact date depends on the year, it's all about the calendar shift due to leap years.

In 2020, the winter solstice will occur on December 21 at 13:02 Moscow time. If you live in another region, you can calculate the time yourself, knowing Moscow.

On this day, the Sun reaches its lowest position. Further, at the end of December and January, it rises higher above the horizon, making daylight hours longer.

In astrology, on this day the Sun moves from the zodiac sign Sagittarius to the sign Capricorn, and the astrological winter begins (the period of the signs Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces).

Since Capricorn is associated with planning, at this time it is advisable to think over and write down goals for the coming year. Consider what is really important to you and what you want to get rid of.

Our ancestors saw the solstice as a time of rebirth, hope, and a joyful start on the path to solar abundance.

Some call the holiday the winter equinox. However, this is not true. The equinox occurs in spring and autumn, in March and September, when day equals night. And in winter and summer - solstices.

Table of winter solstices until 2025

What is special about the solstices and equinoxes? See more about the astronomical meaning of this amazing phenomenon in the video:

Rites and rituals

Many rituals are recommended to be performed on the day of the solstice. The fact is that this is the shortest and most mysterious day of the year. When a colossal amount of energy is generated in nature, but it does not manifest itself clearly, but is hidden in the dark corners of the longest night.

Before carrying out any rituals (a few days before the holiday), it is necessary to carry out a major cleaning in the entire apartment or house:

1. Wash everything, even the most secluded corners.
2. Put things in order, put things in their places.
3. Clear out the pantry and decide what you need and what you don't.
4. Collect unwanted items and give to those in need.

Through such actions, you will clear space in your life for something new and joyful.

Let go ritual

• Write down on paper all the negative and bad things that happened during the year - what you want to get rid of or forget.
• Say the appropriate words that you must choose for yourself. For example: "I forgive and let go of everything that happened" or "I leave these events in the past, let them go and never return."
• Now burn a sheet of paper, imagining how your sorrows are burned in the fire. And along with the smoke, problems disappear.
• Feel free.

Ritual for the fulfillment of a wish

A wish is made at dawn:

• Stand facing the east - look in the direction where the reborn Sun rises.
• Thank the Sun for all the good things in your life and ask for help in the coming season.
• Make a wish - try to mention as many details as possible.
• Imagine that the wish has already come true. What do you feel? Let your imagination paint happy pictures.

On this holiday, it is good to make wishes that involve the renewal of life, the attraction of something new. It is also recommended to drink ginger tea during the day.

If your desire involves saving money, then the ideal option would be to open a savings bank account on the day of the solstice or the next day. By doing this, you will not only think about what you want, but also take the first step towards realization. Which is very important.

Ritual for cleansing

Held in the bathroom:

• Fill the tub with warm water.
• Be sure to add sea salt, because it takes away all the negativity. But it is better to refuse foam on this day.
• Arrange a few candles in the bathroom (odd number), turning off the electric lights.
• Prepare pleasant music for relaxation. It can be the sounds of nature, religious chants, ethnic music, and so on.
• Lie down in the bath. Imagine that your body is heavy, filled with the worries of the outgoing year.
• Now visualize that water and salt take away all your problems. And every moment your body becomes lighter.
• Flush the water, imagining that everything bad goes with it. Rinse under the shower.

After performing the ritual, you will feel a true renewal at the level of body and soul.

Winter Solstice Festival in different cultures

Our distant ancestors were guided by natural phenomena and the movement of the Sun when calculating time periods. The winter solstice point was significant for the construction of such historical structures as:

• Stonehenge in the UK;
• Newgrange in Ireland.

Their main axes are oriented to sunrise and sunset on the solstices.

Ancient Roman Saturnalia

IN Ancient Rome On the days of the solstice, the festival of Saturnalia was celebrated in honor of the god Saturn. The celebration lasted from 17 to 23 December. By this time, all agricultural efforts were completed. And people could indulge in celebration and fun.

It was customary to temporarily stop public affairs, send schoolchildren on vacation. It was even forbidden to punish criminals.

Slaves sat at the same table with the masters and were freed from daily work. There was a symbolic equalization of rights.

Crowds of celebrating walked in the streets. Everyone praised Saturn. On the days of Saturnalia, a pig was slaughtered as a sacrifice, and then they began to have fun. There was a tradition of gift exchange, which later moved to the modern Christmas and New Year.

Yule among the ancient Germans

This is a medieval holiday, one of the main ones of the year. It was celebrated with great pomp. The word "yule" was called the longest night of the year, which fell on the winter solstice.

It was believed that on this day the King of Oak was reborn, he warmed the frozen earth and gave life to the seeds in the soil, which were stored for a long winter, so that by spring they would germinate and give a harvest.

People kindled fires in the fields. It was customary to drink alcoholic drink cider. Children went from house to house with gifts. Baskets were woven from the branches of evergreens and ears of wheat, and apples and cloves were folded into them, which were sprinkled with flour.

Apples are a symbol of the sun and immortality, and wheat is a symbol of a good harvest. Flour meant light and success.

The houses were also decorated with branches of trees: ivy, holly, mistletoe. It was believed that this helps to call the spirits of nature to join the holiday. Spirits could bestow a happy life on the household.

On the holiday of Yule, the burning of a ritual log, the decoration of the Yule tree (the prototype of the New Year tree) and the exchange of gifts were carried out. The image of a log has been preserved in many countries to this day.

Holiday in Christianity

In Christianity, Christmas is celebrated these days. In the Catholic tradition, it comes on December 24, when the Sun, after passing its lowest point, is “reborn” again and rises higher.

It is believed that when Christianity replaced paganism, the new Christian holidays merged with pagan ones. This is how Christmas appeared in his modern form with a decorated Christmas tree and gifts for relatives and friends. Indeed, in fact, this is the celebration of the birth of Christ, but it is celebrated very similarly to the medieval Yule.

In Orthodoxy, due to the use of the Julian calendar, the date is 2 weeks behind the solstice, the Orthodox celebrate Christmas on January 7th. However, historically it is the same date. It's just that over the course of two thousand years, the solstice point has shifted by half a month.

Holiday in Slavic culture

The Slavs celebrated the day of Karachun, the harsh deity of winter. They believed that Karachun brings winter cold to the earth, plunging nature into a winter sleep.

Another name for the deity is Korochun, which means "the shortest." The winter solstice preceded the rebirth of the Sun.

Bonfires were burned everywhere, which were designed to help the Sun triumph over death and be reborn. After Karachun, the nights were waning, and the daylight hours were getting longer.

Subsequently, this deity turned into Frost - a gray-haired old man, from whose breath bitter frosts begin, and rivers are covered with ice. The Slavs believed that if Frost hit a hut with a staff, the logs would crack.

Frost does not like those who are afraid of him and hide, complain about the cold and quickly get cold. But for those who are not afraid of him, he gives rosy cheeks, strength of mind and good mood. This is reflected in the fairy tale "Morozko".

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