In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox that can occur on March 19, 20, or 21 marks the beginning of spring. This period will last up to the June solstice, the first day of the astronomical summer. Let's learn why the date is so special and how it's celebrated around the world!
Has Spring Really Arrived?
In many cultures, the vernal equinox (it's also called spring equinox and March equinox) serves as the formal date of the beginning of Spring. On this day or, to be more exact, at a particular moment during the day, the Sun crosses the celestial equator and the Earth is located perpendicular to the rays of our star. In 2018, this special moment will occur on March 20 at 16:15 UTC or at 12:15 PM in Washington, D.C.
The very word 'equinox' derives from the Latin words 'aequus' and 'nox' which respectively mean 'equal' and 'night'. It presupposes that the day and night are of about equal length on this day and last for 12 hours. In real life, however, in the majority of places around the world day will be a bit longer than the night because of the atmospheric refraction of the sunlight. Although vernal equinox marks the astronomic beginning of spring, the real changes of weather depend largely upon the region.
Vernal Equinox in History
It's clear that ancient people noticed the changes in the length of the day and had to invent special marks somehow connected with them.
- In Ancient Egypt, the Great Sphinx of Giza has been constructed in such a way that it looks directly at the sun on the vernal equinox. The same trick has been arranged in other sacred places like Chichen Itza pyramids or Angkor Wat - a place in Cambodia where observers who stay in front of the western gate will watch the sun rising directly over the top of its central tower.
- Julius Caesar couldn't overlook such an important day as well. He set March 25 as the vernal equinox as his Julian calendar was a bit longer than the tropical year. This led to certain 'shifts' of the equinoxes - in 300 AD, the March equinox fell on March 21 while by 1500 ADit occurred on March 11.
- In the northern hemisphere, March equinox marks the beginning of spring. In the southern hemisphere, vice versa, it marks the beginning of fall. In September, these dates reverse.
Vernal Equinox in Different Cultures
Spring in Japan
Japan has two occasions that are in this or that way related to the spring equinox. One of them is the Cherry Blossom Forecast and the anticipation of cherry blossom. The other one is Higan - a week of Buddhist services that celebrates a spiritual transfer from the world of the dead to the world of the enlightenment.
Spring in India and Nepal
Holi—a colorful Hindu festival—is celebrated close to the vernal equinox. Originally, this holiday was mostly observed in India and Nepal but today, it's widely observed in many other parts of the world. In the evening before the celebration, people can watch a bonfire. The next day, the participants of the show throw colored powder over each other.
Spring in Iran
Nowruz, or ‘New Day' in Farsi, is the name of the Iranian or Persian New Year. It marks the first day of the first month (Farvardin) in the Iranian calendar; celebrations start on the March equinox and last for about two weeks.