December 21 is the Winter Solstice Day. How was it celebrated in ancient Rus? Let’s tell you in this post! The winter solstice is an annual astronomical event. Many know it as "the shortest day." And that’s true: for instance, today it will last only 7 hours. This day was considered magical in ancient Rus. Pagans celebrated Kolyada – the transition from one year to another. It was then that the tradition of caroling appeared. Young people dressed in bright clothes, sang traditional songs, and exchanged gifts. Lighting bonfires was another important tradition: people marked the beginning of longer days and the approach of warmer times. Later, the celebration stopped. According to legends, noisy parties and large festivities could awaken evil spirits, so it was better to spend the solstice with family and close relatives. There were also special omens, such as: if the solstice day was cold, the entire winter would be frosty. If trees were covered in frost, the summer would bring a bountiful harvest. On the shortest day, it was also customary to make your most cherished wishes. One way was to write the wish on a piece of paper, burn it, and scatter the ashes into the wind.