Mid-winter definition of Mid-winter in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

winter solstice

1. the time at which the sun is at its southernmost point in the sky (northernmost point in the S hemisphere) appearing at noon at its lowest altitude above the horizon. It occurs about December 22 (June 21 in the S hemisphere)

2. Astronomy the point on the celestial sphere, opposite the summer solstice, at which the ecliptic is furthest south from the celestial equator. Right ascension: 18 hours; declination: --23.5°

winter solstice [′win·tər ′säl·stəs]

(astronomy)

The sun's position on the ecliptic (about December 22). Also known as first point of Capricorn.

The date (December 22) when the greatest southern declination of the sun occurs.

Winter Solstice

June 21-22 (Southern Hemisphere); December21-22 (Northern Hemisphere)

This is the shortest day of the year, respectively in each hemisphere, when the sun has reached its furthest point from the equator. It also marks the first day of winter.
The winter solstice has played an important role in art, literature, mythology, and religion. There were many pre-Christian seasonal traditions marking the winter solstice, and huge bonfires were an integral part of these ancient solar rites. Although winter was regarded as the season of dormancy, darkness, and cold, the gradual lengthening of the days after the winter solstice brought on a more festive mood. To many peoples this return of the light was cause for celebration that the cycle of nature was continuing.
See also Dongji; Haloa; Inti Raymi Fiesta; Juul, Feast of; Soyaluna; Toji; Yule

CONTACTS:
Lab for Particles and Fields
Code 672, Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
301-286-0447
www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov
The Royal Observatory Greenwich
The National Maritime Museum Greenwich
London, SE10 9NF United Kingdom
44-20-8312-6565; fax: 44-20-8312-6632
www.rog.nmm.ac.uk

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 842
BkFest-1937, p. 82
DictDays-1988, pp. 110, 131
EncyChristmas-2003, p. 828
FestSaintDays-1915, p. 4
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 710
SaintFestCh-1904, p. 32

Celebrated in: China

Winter Solstice (China)

December 23

The Chinese honor the god T'ien at the Winter Solstice. According to tradition, this is the day on which the ancient emperors of China would present themselves before T'ien at the Forbidden City in the capital of Beijing to offer sacrifices. Today, people commemorate the longest night of the year by visiting temples and serving feasts in their homes to honor deceased family members.
The imperial winter solstice ceremonies were closed to all foreigners and almost all Chinese. When the monarchy ended in 1912, the imperial rites were discontinued. Nevertheless, the people of Hong Kong still observe the winter solstice by taking a day off to feast with their families and present offerings to their ancestors.

SOURCES:
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 710
RelHolCal-2004, p. 235

Celebration day: Dec 23

Celebrated in: China

Mentioned in	?		Encyclopedia browser	?		Full browser	?
No references found	Mid-Autumn Festival mid-Colonial architecture Mid-Continent Region mid-extreme tide mid-frequency gain Mid-Indian Basin Mid-Indian Ridge mid-infrared radiation mid-latitude mid-latitude westerlies Mid-Lent mid-level network mid-ocean canyon mid-ocean ridge Mid-Ocean Ridges mid-ocean rift mid-ocean rise mid-oceanic ridge mid-off mid-on mid-range materiel requirements mid-square generator mid-wall column Mid-Water Fishing mid-wicket Mid-winter Midas Midas-WWW midaxillary line midbrain midclavicular line midcourse correction Middelburg Middelfart Middendorf, Aleksandr Middendorf, Aleksandr Fedorovich Middfest International middle Middle Ages Middle America Middle America Trench Middle Amur Lowland Middle Asia Middle Asian Bureau of the Central Committee of the Acp Bolshevik Middle Asian Economic Region Middle Asian Ports Middle Asian Railroad Middle Asian University Middle Asian Uprising of 1916 Middle Atlas Middle Bass Island State Park	Mid-Valley Neighborhood Improvement Association mid-Victorian mid-wall column mid-water Mid-Water Fishing Mid-wave Infrared and Visible Laser System Mid-west Mid-West Appraisers Association Mid-West Fastener Association Mid-West Group Mid-West Regional Authority Mid-West Regional Office Mid-West Tool Collectors Association Mid-Western Aircraft Systems Mid-Western Artifact Society Mid-Western Educational Research Association Mid-Western Health Board Mid-Western Regional Council Mid-western United States mid-wicket mid-wicket Mid-wife Mid-wife Mid-wife Mid-Willamette Fly Fishers Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments Mid-Wing Gear Box Mid-winter Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System Mid-Wisconsin Financial Services Mid-Wisconsin Home Builders Association Mid-Year Mid-Year Exam Mid-Year Forecast Mid-Year Review Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group mid. MID/ASIA MIDA MIDA MIDAA MIDAC MIDADE MiDAESS Midaeval Midaeval midafternoon MIDAG midair midair Midair Collision Avoidance System Midair Retrieval System MidAm MidAmerica Border Collie Rescue

Mentioned in

Encyclopedia browser

Full browser

No references found

Mid-Autumn Festival

mid-Colonial architecture

mid-infrared radiation