Midnight is a well-known moment in the day. As devices that display time, namely watches, began to spread, they began to call the reference point this way - this is 00:00, according to the official time zone that is set in one place or another. The meaning of the word "midnight" will be discussed in detail in the article.
Description
Considering that this is “midnight”, it should be noted that there are two varieties of it. The dictionary defines this term as follows. "True night" is the moment of the lowest culmination of the so-called apparent movement of the day. There is also a "middle midnight", which is understood as the lower climax of the "middle" Sun. That is, a fictitious point that moves uniformly along the celestial equator and in its annual movement (always with the true Sun) will pass a point called the vernal equinox.
This terminology appeared due to the fact that the Earth moves around the Sun in an elliptical orbit, and the axis of rotation deviates from the perpendicular to the plane of the orbit itself. This isleads to the fact that the point in time, called astronomical midnight, varies throughout the year by about 15 minutes in one direction or another from the average value. That is why such concepts as “true” and “average” midnight were introduced.
In everyday life
"Midnight" is not only a scientific concept. For example, at this time of day, the solemn Easter service begins. In mysticism and magic, midnight also has a sacred meaning. It is believed that at this time the reign of evil spirits begins, which rules over the world. Like, for example, Walpurgis Night, Bacchanalia or Sabbath.
It should be noted that during the "Night of the Witches" (Walpurgis), held from April 30 to May 1, many countries celebrate holidays with other names. This is the "Witch's Fire" in the Czech Republic, in the Celtic countries - Beltane.
Walpurgis Night
The name of this holiday comes from the name of the Christian saint Walburga, whose day is celebrated on May 1st. The holiday itself originated from the beliefs about rampant evil spirits among the German-speaking peoples (Austrians, Scandinavians, Germans), as well as the highlanders of Scotland - the Gaelic Highlanders.
On this "midnight" bonfires are made on the hills, and people dress up in costumes of evil spirits. This was done in order to appease the latter and win over. It was believed that such actions would help grow a rich harvest, save and increase livestock. Among the Highland Scots, this holiday belonged to the cultsun worship. Bonfires kindled at midnight symbolize the birth of a new luminary in the beginning of spring.
Sabbat
At midnight, called the Sabbath, according to popular beliefs, witches and evil spirits gather on Bald Mountain. Witches flew there on broomsticks, it was believed that the lightning seen that night was the traces of their flight. Then Satan appears, and the evil spirits begin to report to him for evil deeds.
After this, a feast takes place, wine is served in cow hooves and horse turtles, snacks on horse meat. The holiday continues with the dance of witches and devils and ends with a sinful sin. After that, the witches scatter to their homes, and the demons with Satan go to the underworld.
Change by cases
Since the spelling of the studied lexeme often causes difficulty, it would be advisable to decline the word "midnight". For clarity, we give examples of sentences.
Singular:
- Nominative. Midnight came very quickly.
- Genitive. On New Year's Eve, everyone looks forward to midnight.
- Dative. I'm grateful for spending half the night with you.
- Accusative. The girl remembered this beautiful midnight for a long time.
- Creative. Something must happen this midnight.
- Prepositional. He thought about that midnight for a long time.
Plural:
- Nominative. Summer midnights were wonderfully good.
- Genitive. I really miss summer midnights.
- Dative. I am happy to spend half the night in nature.
- Accusative. After that, he often remembered the beautiful midnights.
- Creative. I admire the starry midnights.
- Prepositional. I will never forget the dark midnights.
