Photo of the Day
June 17, 2017
Through the Fire
In San Bartolomé de Pinares, Spain, residents celebrate the eve of St. Anthony's Day with the Luminarias Festival. St. Anthony is the patron saint of domestic animals. One of the traditions of the festival involves riding or jumping horses through bonfires, which is believed to purify the animal and protect it in the year ahead. Townspeople say the practice dates back at least 500 years, coming from a time when smoke was thought to ward off the plague. Animal rights groups say the practice is cruel and barbaric, but the city government claims that no horse has ever suffered injury. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community.
Go Further
Animals
- The Dallas Zoo is being sabotaged. Here’s what we know.The Dallas Zoo is being sabotaged. Here’s what we know.
- Hogs are running wild in the U.S.—and spreading diseaseHogs are running wild in the U.S.—and spreading disease
- World’s biggest, rarest ocean stingray tagged in the wildWorld’s biggest, rarest ocean stingray tagged in the wild
Environment
- These sacred trees face new threats in a changing worldThese sacred trees face new threats in a changing world
- The everyday people making their homes eco-friendly
- Paid Content
The everyday people making their homes eco-friendly - Here’s a better way to dispose of used cooking oilHere’s a better way to dispose of used cooking oil
- Explore how traditional mud homes keep you cool
- Magazine
Explore how traditional mud homes keep you cool
History & Culture
- This Black artist’s quilts inspired generations of U.S. artisansThis Black artist’s quilts inspired generations of U.S. artisans
- These 3,000-year-old relics were torched and buried—but why?These 3,000-year-old relics were torched and buried—but why?
Science
- Does a woman’s fertility really plummet at age 35?Does a woman’s fertility really plummet at age 35?
- How to see the green comet flying past Earth tonightHow to see the green comet flying past Earth tonight
- How old are you, really? The answer is written on your face.How old are you, really? The answer is written on your face.
- How breast milk banks could avert the next formula crisisHow breast milk banks could avert the next formula crisis
Travel
- How reading the night sky helped Black Americans surviveHow reading the night sky helped Black Americans survive
- Sanibel Island was a paradise. Then Hurricane Ian struck.Sanibel Island was a paradise. Then Hurricane Ian struck.
- Salman Rushdie on the timeless beauty of the Taj MahalSalman Rushdie on the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal
- The instruments that shape the soundtrack of Abu Dhabi
- Paid Content
The instruments that shape the soundtrack of Abu Dhabi - These breathtaking natural wonders no longer existThese breathtaking natural wonders no longer exist
