Myths, Symbols & Folklore
Midday (Midnight): Like the summer and winter solstices, midday and midnight are temporal turning points that for ages have had special significance. In China they are considered to be the high points, respectively, of yang and yin influences. According to the esoteric view, midnight is the time when the spiritual (in contrast to the physical) sun stands at the zenith; consequently, midnight is associated with contemplation, initiation, and spiritual knowledge and insight. In folk belief midnight is the witching hour when contact with spirits, poor souls, etc. can most easily be established. In fairy tales the midnight hour, and the bright hours of day when no shadows fall, are the times of mysterious happenings. The midday heat of summer was believed in antiquity to be the hour of Pan. (Herder)