Debunking the 10% myth
Many countries still celebrate St. John's Eve, on the eve of the feast day, of course. It's commemorated with outdoor parties, bonfires, and fireworks.
Despite that, pagans and druids have continued to celebrate the solstice there for centuries.
Stonehenge in England, the most famous Neolithic structure, is aligned with the sunrise on the morning of the summer solstice.
The Pagans of Northern and Central Europe celebrated Midsummer, a festival that is still celebrated to this day in some countries.
When Christianity was spread to the pagan countries, the Midsummer celebration became mixed with St. John's Day, the feast day of St. John the Baptist.
The construction and positioning of some archaeological sites are thought to indicate an understanding of the summer solstice.
In Egypt, a view from the Sphynx shows the sun setting directly between the two Great Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre on the summer solstice.
Archaeologists have debated its purpose for centuries. Many theorize that it is the site of pagan solstice rituals, but there is little evidence to support this.
Native American tribes also had their own celebrations. The Sioux would perform a ceremonial sun dance around a tree in symbolic colors.
In the southern hemisphere, it takes place between December 20 and 22.
The summer solstice was also associated with feminine forces in ancient China, known as "yin." The earth and "yin forces" were celebrated during this time.
According to pagan folklore, spirits would appear on the summer solstice. People would wear protective garlands made of herbs and flowers to ward off the evils ones. The most powerful plant was called "chase evil." Today, it is known as St. John's Wort because of its association with St. John's Day, another summer solstice celebration.
In the northern hemisphere, it occurs between June 20 and 22.
The summer solstice is the day of the year that has the most hours of daylight and the shortest night.
Slaves would join the celebrations with their masters, and maybe even be served by them.
Bonfires were also associated with magic and banishing demons. Magic was thought to be strongest around the summer solstice. It was believed that the ashes from a summer solstice bonfire would protect against misfortune, or bring a good harvest if sprinkled over the earth.
In Ancient Egypt, the summer solstice occurred around the same time the Nile River would rise. As such, the solstice helped them to predict annual flooding.
In ancient Rome, they worshipped Vesta, goddess of the hearth. Her temple contained the holy flame, which represented the prosperity of Rome. It was kept lit at all times.
The festival Vestalia is celebrated in the days before the summer solstice. Married woman leave offerings at the temple of Vesta and ask for blessings for their families.
The ancient Greeks noticed that the sun stopped moving northward in the sky on the solstice, and began moving southward again.
Neolithic humans originally used the solstice as an indicator of the best time to plant their crops.
The Christians took on many of the ancient pagan rituals and started to call the bonfires St. John's fires. Despite this blending of traditions, the pagan history of the festival was never really lost.
They also celebrated "Kronia" at this time. It was a wild celebration of Cronus, the god of agriculture, where the strict societal norms would be turned on their heads.
The summer solstice is a festival that takes place on the longest day of the year. It has been celebrated for centuries all over the world. Ancient civilizations in Asia, Europe, and America each had their own understanding of this astronomical event. Rituals were formed to thank the sun for its service and ask for continued growth and prosperity.
Many of these rituals are still carried out around the globe today. Click through the following gallery to learn about the origins of the summer solstice in various ancient cultures.
Sun worshippers: the history of the summer solstice
The ancient festival takes place today on June 20, the longest day of the year
LIFESTYLE Ancient civilization
The summer solstice is a festival that takes place on the longest day of the year. It has been celebrated for centuries all over the world. Ancient civilizations in Asia, Europe, and America each had their own understanding of this astronomical event. Rituals were formed to thank the sun for its service and ask for continued growth and prosperity.
Many of these rituals are still carried out around the globe today. Click through the following gallery to learn about the origins of the summer solstice in various ancient cultures.