21 December, Minsk /Nadezhda Radivon - BELTA/. Astronomical winter will arrive in Belarus today at 14:12 Belarusian time. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the BSU observatory. The winter solstice period features the longest night and shortest day of the year. Daylight hours last only 7 hours and 24 minutes. The Earth receives the least amount of solar heat, and winter's reign is finally established. From this moment, daylight hours will gradually begin to increase. In folk tradition, the winter solstice holiday is also called Anna the Winter's Day. According to popular beliefs, "on Anna, autumn ends, winter begins." This day was considered the least sunny, and therefore people feared that evil spirits would soon gain power over the fading sun. It was particularly observed by pregnant women and beekeepers. The former were forbidden from undertaking any significant work during the day. It was noted that if Anna the Winter's Day is radiant and bright, it heralds a clear and frosty 31 December; if it is gloomy and there is frost on the trees, it indicates overcast and warm weather. In ancient times, the New Year began precisely on the winter solstice. This holiday was one of the most important events in life, serving as a starting point for agriculture, construction, and other significant undertakings. In Rus', there was a custom on the shortest day of the year to set fire to a wheel and roll it down a hill. The burning wheel symbolised the onset of the sun's turning. In ancient China, it was believed that from the winter solstice, nature's "masculine force" rose, and a new cycle began. Therefore, this day was considered auspicious: emperors would travel outside the city to perform solemn rituals of sacrifice to Heaven, and common people offered sacrifices to their ancestors. -0-

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