Photos: Summer Solstice: Unique images of celebration across the world [PHOTOS]
By IBTimes Staff Reporter | Jun 21, 2011 03:43 AM EDT
Throughout the globe, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, people are celebrating the event of Summer Solstice the longest day of the year, which falls on June 21, 2011.
Also referred to as "Midsummer", the event marks the time of the year when Earth is closest to the Sun's axis. Every year, the event is celebrated with festivals, gatherings and rituals on the 21st of June in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the Southern Hemisphere observes Summer Solstice only in the month of December.
Different communities have their own way of celebrating the day. While some gather to welcome the sunrise early in the morning, some others assemble in groups to light a "sacred" fire. For thousands of years, this date has had spiritual implications for Christians, Celts and even the Pagans.
As per some Pagan beliefs, this point of the year marks the marriage of God and Goddess and a celebration of growth and life. Besides this, the Chinese also observes the day as the Festival of Li, the Goddess of Light.
Check out some of the unique images of Summer Solstice celebrations across the world:
The sun rises during summer solstice at the Kokino megalithic observatory.
Source: Reuters.
Belarussian women make wreaths during the Ivana Kupala festival near the town of Rakov, some 45 km (28 miles) northwest of Minsk, July 6, 2009. The traditional festival celebrates the summer solstice with overnight festivities such as people singing and dancing before jumping over campfires, as they believe it will purge them of their sins and make them healthier.
Source: Reuters.
A large statue is seen as revellers attend the annual summer solstice at the Stonehenge monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, southern England.
Source: Reuters.
Sculptor Feldbergs performs at Summer Solstice festival in Pedvale open air art museum, Riga.
Source: Reuters.
Man attends annual summer solstice at Stonehenge monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.
Source: Reuters.
Revellers attend the annual summer solstice at the Stonehenge monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, southern England.
Source: Reuters.
Time exposure shows a man playing with LED light-up ball during summer solstice at Stonehenge monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.
Source: Reuters.
Belarussian women wear wreathes during the Ivana Kupala festival near the town of Rakov, some 45 km (28 miles) northwest of Minsk, July 6, 2009. The traditional festival celebrates the summer solstice with overnight festivities such as people singing and dancing before jumping over campfires, as they believe it will purge them of their sins and make them healthier.
Source: Reuters.
A woman performs a personal ritual against one of the ancient stones during the annual summer solstice Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.
Source: Reuters.
A fire-eater extinguishes a flame in his mouth during a Summer Solstice celebration near Fuerstenfeldbruck, about 20 km west of Munich on June 26, 2004. Summer Solstice is celebrated as the longest day and the shortest night of the year and marks the first day of summer.
Source: Reuters.
