For this project we've been asked to create a campaign poster relating to an article from the primer work. The article I chose is about winter solstice and the science of time. For the research stage of the project I'm looking at how and why different cultures celebrated (or feared) the solstice.
Jul/Yule
'Yule' comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'iul' meaning wheel, it marks the rebirth of the Sun and the beginning of the New Year, it's name refers to the cyclical nature of time and the seasons. This ancient tradition has combined with many of the Christian religious celebrations brought to Europe.
Wild Hunt
Related to the celebration of Jul is this ancient folk myth told through Northern Europe, it is sometimes referred to as Odin's Hunt. It is essentially a ghost tale, something to scare naughty children on dark and stormy winter nights. Traditionally the hunt starts on October 31st and continues on until the New Year, when the days get longer. It is an ill omen to see the hunt.
Sköll
Another myth of winter solstice involves the warg (or wolf) Sköll. The warg spends the year watching the Sun goddess, Sól, flying through the sky on her chariot. As the year progresses her horses get more and more tired and flow lower and lower. In some versions of the myth, on winter solstice Sköll swallows Sól and the world is plunged into darkness (in countries such as Iceland it is not uncommon for days to occur without sunlight) until other gods rescue her and restore the light (usually Thor and Odin). At Ragnarök, Sköll and his brother Haní will succeed in eating the Sun and Moon marking the end of the world. This did not mean a disastrous apocalypse to the Vikings so much as a change in gods, the old hierarchy being destroyed and a new one replacing it. It fits in with the themes of rejuvenation seen throughout solstice celebrations.
Saturnalia
Saturnalia is the Roman winter feast in honour of the god Saturn, a god of time + agriculture. In Saturnalia roles are reversed and Roman social norms are foregone, slaves are permitted to eat with masters, good times are had by all. It began on December 17th and was then expanded to the 23rd to allow for even more feasting, drinking and gambling.
Yaldā
This Iranian festival is celebrated on the longest night of the year. Family and friends come together to eat, drink, and read poetry to each other. In particular Hafez is read. Pomegranates are significant to the feast, their red colour echoes the colour of dawn.
Dōngzhì
This is an East Asian celebration for winter solstice. It harks back to the yin and yang philosophy of cosmic harmony and balance, the solstice marks the beginning of longer days and the turning tide of positive energy. Traditionally dumplings are eaten as they are a nourishing food good for the winter months.