It's Winter!
The shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is the winter solstice?
In many cultures, this is lit on the winter solstice to symbolize the return of the sun.
What is a Yule log?
This giant cat from Icelandic folklore is said to devour those who don't receive new clothes for Christmas.
Who is the Yule Cat?
This traditional winter solstice treat is a large log of cake, often filled with dried fruits and nuts, and can be enjoyed for weeks (or even months!).
What is fruitcake?
In many parts of Scandinavia, people celebrate St. Lucia's Day, where a young girl dressed in white serves coffee and saffron buns. On what date is St. Lucia's Day celebrated?
What is the tilt of the Earth's axis?
In many Arctic cultures, this animal skin is used to create warm clothing and shelters.
What is seal skin?
This horned, goat-like creature from Alpine folklore punishes naughty children during the Christmas season.
Who is Krampus?
This beverage, often enjoyed warm with marshmallows, is a popular winter solstice treat.
What is hot chocolate?
This Japanese winter festival features beautiful snow and ice sculptures.
What is the Sapporo Snow Festival?
The position of the sun in the sky changes in this way during the days leading up to the Winter Solstice.
What is it gradually moves lower and lower in the sky?
This traditional Arctic food source is often hunted and shared among the community.
What are reindeer?
In Scandinavian folklore, this creature, often made of straw, was paraded through villages during the Winter Solstice to ward off evil spirits and usher in the return of the sun.
What is the Yule Goat?
This citrus fruit, often associated with the winter holidays, is believed to bring good luck in some cultures.
What is an orange?
In Japan, many people celebrate the arrival of the New Year with a special meal called "Osechi Ryori." This is what makes the meal special.
What is that it's prepared in advance and meant to last for several days?
This is the name for the continuous darkness period in the Arctic during the winter.
What is polar night?
This is why we use evergreens, like holly and pine, during the Winter Solstice traditions.
What reminds us of eternal life and the enduring power of nature in the face of winter?
In Norse mythology, these mischievous spirits were believed to bring bad luck and illness during the long winter nights. Hint: you can bribe them by leaving out a bowl of porridge at night!
What are the Nisse?
This traditional Christmas dessert is often called "figgy pudding" in the United States, but it's more commonly known by another name in the UK.
What is Christmas Pudding (or Plum Pudding)?
This ancient Roman festival, held in honor of the god Saturn, is considered a precursor to modern Christmas celebrations.
What is Saturnalia?
This is the name for the continuous daylight period in the Arctic during the summer.
What is the midnight sun?
Fasting, bathing in sacred waters, and making offerings to the gods are common rituals because ancient cultures believed winter was a time for....
What is renewal and purification?
This shape-shifting spirit from Inuit mythology can appear as an animal or a human, often bringing blizzards and other winter hardships.
What is the Adlet?
This elegant French Christmas cake is shaped like a log and often decorated to resemble bark.
What is a Bûche de Noël?
This Chinese festival celebrates the arrival of winter and the return of the sun, often involving family gatherings and the eating of tangyuan.
What is Dongzhi Festival?