Summer solstice traditions: How is the longest day of the year celebrated?
MIDSUMMER festivities — or summer solstice — are held across the world. In many cases, the rituals are linked with themes of religion or fertility because it heralds the beginning of summer. How is the summer solstice traditionally celebrated? People in the northern hemisphere have been celebrating the longest day of the year for centuries. […]
MIDSUMMER festivities — or summer solstice — are held across the world.
In many cases, the rituals are linked with themes of religion or fertility because it heralds the beginning of summer.
How is the summer solstice traditionally celebrated?
People in the northern hemisphere have been celebrating the longest day of the year for centuries.
Here are examples of traditional summer solstice celebrations:
United Kingdom: Stonehenge
One of the biggest celebrations in the UK occurs at Stonehenge with crowds gathering to watch the sunrise.
The day is celebrated by pagans and druids, with rituals of rebirth performed throughout history on the day.
They wait by the Wiltshire monument in midsummer, facing towards the north-easterly direction.
Crowds of devotees, often dressed for the occasion, regularly gather to watch the moment the sun rises above the Heel Stone.
It’s just one of the many pagan festivals, which include midwinter and imbolc – the day that traditionally marks the start of spring.
Sweden: ‘midsommarstång’
Outside Christmas this is the most important festival in this Scandinavian country’s calendar.
Swedes of all ages gorge on traditional foods such as pickled herring, salmon and potatoes.
The flower-wreath-wearing revellers enjoy maypole and folk dances – such as the Små grodorna – take centre stage.
Legend has it that when unmarried girls place seven flowers under their pillow in midsummer, they will dream of their future husband.
Hungary ‘Saint Ivan’s Night’
The whole month of June was once called the Month of St. Ivan until the 19th century but now it is June 21.
Setting fires is a folklore tradition this night with girls jumping over it, while boys watched the spectacle.
Romania: Drăgaica
Drăgaica is celebrated by a dance performed by a group of five to six girls.
One of them is chosen to be Drăgaica
She is dressed as a bride, with wheat wreath, while the other girls, dressed in white wear a veil with bedstraw flowers. Midsummer fairs are held in many Romanian villages and cities.
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Poland: ‘Wianki’
Flower garlands are worn by young maidens during this time.
These are then traditionally placed in the river with candles and floated downstream.
Young men attempt to capture them in hopes of capturing the interest of the young lady it belonged to.
Greece: Klidonas
The event involves traditions where virginal women drink from a special village well.
Lucky personal belongings are left under a fig tree.
If they do so, they dream of their future spouse. People will celebrate the solstice by leaping over the burning logs three times and it is said to be an act of purification.
