The winter solstice is on the 21st of december,and the sun comes back to normal on the 25th of december. This was celebrated bu many people around europe and asia, when they figured out this pattern, whith several traditions and rituals, and observed as a holiday. When the christians were converting the pagans, the made the pagan holidays as christian as could be, thus making the 25th a celebration of christs birth, and easter, originaly a celebration of the fretility god , to the ressurection of christ. Does anyone have more information on some of the traditions and celebrations concerning the winter solstice?
2006-12-06 10:30:32 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
try this site:
http://www.shambhala.org/arts/fest/unconquered.html
2006-12-06 10:34:54 · answer #1 · answered by moonshine 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Winter Solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year. The day after the sun shines a bit longer each day. The Solstice is not always on the 21st, as a natural holiday the day fluctuates, it usually falls between the 20th and the 23rd.
http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/index.shtml
2006-12-06 10:37:11 · answer #2 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's very important to keep in mind that all religions intentionally use existing religions' beliefs and rituals (as well as cultural elements) to present their teachings. They do this to be able to present their teachings in a familiar context. Buddhism did this, as it spread to each new area. Christianity did this as well, using existing pagan beliefs and rituals. Each of the rituals and concepts are given new meaning and symbolism in the new religion. To treat as literal any of the symbolism and dates in either the new religion or the borrowed-from religion is to miss the point: the power lies not in the dates or the original practices but in what they point to -- how they are used to present the teachings. Zen buddhists know the value of these symbolic contexts and I've listened to a Zen master who strongly admonished people to 'leave their egos behind' when engaging themselves in these contexts.
2006-12-07 08:09:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ.
Winter solstice is a pagan celebration.
Big difference!
I know that Easter is also a pagan celebrations of fertility, hence the rabbit and eggs.
Resurrection Day is celebrated by Christians for the day that Christ rose from the grave.
Again...big difference!
2006-12-06 10:35:07 · answer #4 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Christmas is pagan. The funny thing is that most people who acknowledge that will celebrate Christmas anyway.
2006-12-06 10:35:15 · answer #5 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I believe everyone has acknowledged the origin of the celebration on December 25th .... if you want more info,
http://www.candlegrove.com/solstice.html
2006-12-06 10:34:58 · answer #6 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋