I love spring! This year it began on Sunday, March 20! This date marks the spring equinox and the astronomical first day of spring around the Northern Hemisphere.
What Is the Spring Equinox?
The word equinox comes from the Latin words for “equal night”, aequus (equal) and nox (night). On the equinox, the length of day and night is nearly equal in all parts of the world.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north. This event marks the start of the spring season in the northern half of the globe. After this date, the Northern Hemisphere begins to be tilted more toward the Sun, resulting in increasing daylight hours and warming temperatures.
In Europe, the concept of spring is associated with the sowing of crops. During this time of the year all plants begin growth anew after the dormancy of winter. Animals are greatly affected, too: they come out of their hibernation and begin their reproducing activities, and birds migrate poleward in response to the warmer temperatures
In many cultures spring has been celebrated with rites and festivals revolving around its importance in food production:
These are my favorite spring festivals:
Cherry flower festival:
In Kyoto , Japan, there is a Festival dedicated to cherry blossoms. Every spring, the Japanese gather with friends for picnics under the cherry blossom trees. It's one of the country’s most loved traditions.
Holi Festival,
India:
The day after the first full moon of March marks the start of Holi, a Hindu festival with many legends behind it. On the eve of the festival, people light bonfires to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Ash from the bonfire is considered sacred with many applying the ashes to their foreheads as further protection from evil. People pour into the streets in a collective euphoria to celebrate the end of winter by throwing colored water and powder on each other.
Las
Fallas, Spain:
A traditional celebration honoring St. Joseph, centers around giant paper mache puppets (fallas) made of a combination of paper, wood and wax. Las Fallas officially begins March 1. The streets are filled with revelry: music, decorations, firecrackers and parades with residents in traditional costumes.
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