5 summer solstice celebrations from around the world

Hey Northern Hemisphere break out your sunglasses because summer is officially here.

Every year the first day of the season falls on June 21 also known as the summer solstice sol meaning sun and stare meaning stand in Latin. It also contains the most daylight hours of the year.

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Because of the earth's tilt the sun will reach its zenith shining directly over the northernmost latitude of 23.5 degrees known as the Tropic of Cancer according to BBC. In other words on this day the sun will never rise in the Antarctic Circle and never set in the Arctic Circle.

Throughout history this astronomically mystical day has been celebrated all over the world with festivals of dancing and bonfires perhaps the original summer music festival Scientists attribute this to the rise in happiness we feel as the amount of sunlight also relatively increases each day making the summer solstice the pinnacle of this emotional positivity.

Check out below to learn how different cultures express their appreciation for the summer solstice.

1. Swedish

Midsommar is arguably the most important Swedish holiday second to Christmas. Swedes of all ages head outdoors donning flower garlands and gather around a maypole which is said to represent fertility or the world's axis and dance like frogs to the traditional folk song Sm Grodorna . Raw fish and br nnvin or Swedish vodka is joyously consumed.

2. Romans

Modern day Romans reenact the city's ancient Pagan past by taking its festival to the Tiber River according to NPR. Like Dionysian cult rituals torches are lit and some float down the river.

Vesta the ancient Roman goddess of hearth was honored centuries ago by the Vestalia festival. Through ritualistic practice an unborn calf was removed from its mother's womb. It was also the only time when married women were allowed into the temple of vestal virgins or priestesses to make the appropriate sacrifices.

3. Pueblos

Ancestral pueblos are believed to have incorporated the sun's movements in their architecture according to the National Park Service. Aztec West which is part of the Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico contains a wall which aligns perfectly with the rising and setting sun during the winter and summer solstices. Researchers believe it helped signify times to plant and harvest.

4. Druids

Pagan Druids use the summer solstice to celebrate belief concerning the cyclical nature of the universe. A Druid explained to the International Business Times that it is custom to gather under the open sky at ancient sites such as England's Stonehenge which is believed to be a place that links the sun moon earth and seasons. They wait for the sunrise praying and thanking the spirits.

The UK government estimates 40 000 people will migrate to Stonehenge this year.

5. Chinese

It is said that the ancient Chinese saw the summer solstice as the yin to the winter solstice's yang. During this festival they would honor the earth and its femininity. Women would give each other fans and scented sachets to drive away mosquitos according to thissite started by China's Ministry of Culture.

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