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Thank you for the tag @skylarynn!

@this-is-not-an-alien I’d be interested in seeing yours! (:

 

What is a fictional holiday in your world? / Who celebrates it?

One that comes to mind, that is celebrated almost throughout the whole world, and not just certain countries, is ‘the time of the star’s death.’

What’s the origin of the holiday?

There was once a star in the heavens called Aden. It was created by the Star Breather to defend this world (Ganeil). This star orbited in a wide arc around Ganeil, and could change the speed of its orbit, and whether it was going one direction, or the other.

This star fulfilled what it was created to do once. It moved quickly and stopped in the path of a large asteroid headed toward Ganeil. The star consumed the giant rock, crying out in pain as it cut, and melted within him.

People celebrated this star’s existence then. But their joy would soon turn to hate.

For the next time an object was headed toward their planet, the star refused to move. It did not go faster to defend them. It did not wish to take on the pain and save the people he was created to defend.

So the rock cut through the firmament of Ganiel, and killed many. Changing some of the landscape. People wept.

This went on for six hundred years, and the name ‘Aden’ was a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth. The people lived in fear that their homes or fields or families would be the next to perish, from the stones that fell from space.

In all this time, that star remained unharmed. His one goal in life was to avoid pain, even at the cost of thousands of others. As the centuries passed, his heart grew harder. And eventually, the darkness inside him grew so great, the star imploded. A wave of death, instead of life, sweeping out and touching hundreds of other stars.

He was gone. He was dead.

It took six days for his aura to fade in the sight of those on Ganiel.

But on the seventh day, a new star appeared in Aden’s place. Placed there by the Star Breather, and given the same purpose as his brother. To suffer for Ganiel, and her trees, and people, and her water.

And this star loved the people of Ganiel. He fulfilled his purpose. His body ate the stones, and rocks, and asteroids that threatened his beloved people. He would cry out in pain every time, tears of fire streaming down his cheeks. But he loved them, and so he never gave up.

After several thousand years, he also died, but… that is a different holy day… and a different account…

Thus is the legend behind this holiday.  Though the prophets say, it is no legend at all.

 Is there a religion or culture involved?

Perhaps a religion; the legend says the Star Breather created Aden, and then his successor.

But few in Gainel still believe in the Star Breather’s existence. It is just a fable, and there to explain the happenings of the world. The star that defended them just formed there on its own.

 How often does it come around?

It is celebrated at the beginning of spring, for seven days after whatever snow is there melts, or whenever green starts to show when there was none from winter.

(The exact time of celebration is different for almost each community, and there are other signs different countries and communities have to show the start of the time of celebration.  But all are for seven days, and all start when spring begins.)

  What rituals/festivities are involved?

For the first six days, families move out of their homes and sleep on the ground or rocks outside. Every night, the community gathers together, and different bonfires are lit. Families and friends sit about them together and sing or listen to songs. These songs tell of the legends of Aden, or different accounts of the fear, and all that was lost because of Aden’s failure.

But on the seventh day, children are dressed in their best clothes. People come out of their homes all day long, and cook, and share food, and laugh. The children dance around fires, and tongue drums are played.

There is singing, and celebration. For Aden was gone, and a better star had appeared in his place.

How has it changed over time?

Not much. It used to be celebrated only as individual familes, or just by those who followed the Star Breather. Now all celebrate it, and it is a village or city-wide event.

Do any of your characters observe the holiday?

They probably do.

Nithel thinks it is good to remember what Aden did, as a memorial. As a way for all to remember the end of those who live for their own gain, or self-preservation.

But the seventh day bothers Nithel, and he leaves the festivities that day to be on his own.

Do any oppose it?

1. There is a character who opposes it in its entirety.

2. There is another character that doesn’t care for it, simply because he does not.

If so, why do they?

1. The holiday makes him feel too guilty.

2. There’s no time to waste on silly legends or fables. (This man has a four-year-old daughter, and a one-year-old son.)

Has the observation of the holiday ever been banned from anywhere?

Yes. One country in particular.

If so, why was it banned?

The ruler (1.) doesn’t like the holiday.