Napfordulókor

Napfordulókor is a Hungarian term meaning "during the solstice." It refers to the moments in the year when the Sun reaches its greatest or least declination relative to the equator, causing the longest or shortest days on Earth. The two principal solstices occur around June 21 and December 21 each year. The June solstice, or nyári napforduló, marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, while the December solstice, téli napforduló, signals the start of winter. During these times, the Sun’s apparent path in the sky changes, affecting daily daylight duration and the angle of sunlight.

In Hungarian culture, napfordulókor has historically been associated with seasonal festivals and agricultural rituals. Many villages celebrate the summer solstice with feasts and folk dances, reflecting the abundance of light and warmth. The winter solstice is often observed with symbolic acts meant to drive away darkness and encourage hope for the return of longer days. The term has also entered contemporary Hungarian literature and media, used metaphorically to describe pivotal turning points in time or life, underscoring the solstice’s symbolic importance as a point of transition.

The word napforduló comes from nap (“sun”) and forduló (“turning”) and has a straightforward etymology. It has been documented in Hungarian folklore for centuries. The concept parallels the universal idea of a solstice found worldwide, where the Sun’s extreme positions are seen both astronomically and culturally as significant turning points in the natural cycle.