As we approach the years end the winter solstice will take place this year on December 21st. This is the shortest day of the year and marks the turning of the season as the days begin to lengthen again. Solstice literally means ‘Sun Stands Still’, for a few days around the time of the winter solstice the sun appears to stand still in the sky in that its elevation at noon does not seem to change.
Many standing stones, alignments and passage tombs have been constructed over the millennia to mark this special event , and of course here in Ireland our Newgrange monument is the most famous of them all. Built over 5,000 years ago this sacred place is older than the pyramids of Giza, and only on the morning of the winter solstice a ray of sunshine will travel down the narrow passage and completely illuminate the inner chamber. This is a spectacular event and often spiritual experience for those lucky enough to bear witness to this phenomenon.
Newgrange is a Stone Age, neolithic monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath. It is the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s Ancient East. Newgrange was constructed about 5,200 years ago (3,200 B.C.) which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Newgrange is a large circular mound 85m (279ft) in diameter and 13m (43ft) high with a 19m (63ft) stone passageway and chambers inside. The mound is ringed by 97 large curbstones, some of which are engraved with symbols called megalithic art.
It was overgrown with trees and was discovered completely by accident when the local landowner removed a rock in 1699 that revealed the entrance into what was thought at first sight to be a cave.
At the entrance to Newgrange there is a large stone with a Triskele design engraved in the rock. This is the most famous Irish Megalithic symbol in the world. This design was carved at least 2,500 years before the Celts reached Ireland. It is hard to even imagine people back then creating such inspiring artwork.
Nowadays thanks to our ever improving technology we can watch the solstice from all over the world on online.
If you would like to find out more about Newgrange and its history you can visit www.newgrange.com and read more about it. Here at www.connemaramarble.com we have our own Newgrange inspired Jewelry Collection which combines our natural gemstone with the mystique of the solstice. Sláinte, Stephen
#solstice #newgrange #connemaramarblejewelry
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