The Spring Equinox, or Vernal Equinox, is a significant astronomical occurrence that shows the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is neither inclined away from nor towards the Sun, resulting in equal lengths of day and night. This essay focuses on the global history of Spring Equinox celebrations, touching on the similarities and differences.
Ancient civilizations celebrated the Spring Equinox, paying tribute to the transition from winter to spring. These celebrations had a deep connection to their cultural and religious beliefs.
In ancient Egypt, one of the earliest documented Spring Equinox celebrations took place. The festival of Shemu marked the beginning of the agricultural season. In his writings, Plutarch, a Greek historian, described how the ancient Egyptians associated Osiris and Isis with the Nile River and the land. This emphasized the belief that the flooding of the Nile guaranteed fertility, sustenance, and abundance for ancient Egypt. Processions, offerings, and feasting were part of the festivities.
For this reason, the Egyptians call Osiris the Nile and Isis the land, and they believe that the Nile, receiving its first rise from the land, as from a mother, afterward, when it is full, opens the mouths of its outlets and pours its waters into the land, and thus they say the Nile is the cause of the earth’s fertility and the creator of plants and living creatures.1
In ancient Greece and Rome, people celebrated the Spring Equinox as part of the Dionysian festivals. The ancient Greeks and Romans honored Dionysus (Greek) or Bacchus (Roman), the gods of wine, fertility, and rebirth, during these celebrations.
Dionysus is the life-spirit of all green vegetation — ivy, pine tree and especially the vine; he is, in Dylan Thomas’ phrase, ‘the force that through the green fuse drives the flower.2
In his writings, Ovid, a Roman poet, recounted the rituals connected to Bacchus, which encompassed the wearing of wreaths, singing, and merriment. He describes the crowd adorned with ivy leaves and Bacchus’ thyrsus, a staff entwined with ivy and vine leaves. This imagery reflects the association of Bacchus with wine, celebration, and the joyous festivities that accompanied his worship.
And now the crowd, as custom wills, is studded with ivy leaves, and Bacchus’ thyrsus is mingled with the vine.3
The Celts celebrated the Spring Equinox with festivals such as Beltane and Ostara. Observed in Ireland and Scotland, Beltane signaled the start of summer. It included bonfires, dancing around Maypoles, and rituals to protect livestock and crops. Ostara, a Germanic celebration, honored the goddess of spring and fertility. People decorated eggs as symbols of new life and lit fires to welcome spring.
Where Ostara is the time of light’s arrival, Beltane is what grows from its warmth.4
Nowruz, celebrated on the Spring Equinox in Iran and by Persian communities worldwide, has ancient Zoroastrian origins. Nowruz, meaning “New Day,” symbolizes rebirth and renewal. It aligns with the beginning of the Persian calendar and includes traditions like spring cleaning, family get-togethers, and the Haft Seen table decorated with seven symbolic objects.
The spring breeze on a rose’s cheek spreads joy. The face you glimpse beyond the blooms grants bliss. No words about last winter can bring cheer; don’t speak of yesterday—rejoice today.5
In modern times, various Spring Equinox celebrations continue to thrive. Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, takes place on the last full moon before the Equinox. It is a joyous celebration where people throw colored powders (gulal) and water, symbolizing spring and the victory of good over evil.
That feeling which cannot be said by heart
Speak it in the language of colors;
Come, let us together sing and dance
With new enthusiasm and vivacity6
Christians celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter includes church services, prayers, and customs such as Easter egg hunts, symbolizing new life and rebirth.
Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is a time of profound hope, renewal, and the triumph of life over death. Through the story of Jesus’ resurrection, Christians find inspiration and a reminder of God’s love, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life.7
Spring Equinox celebrations vary across cultures in terms of their cultural significance, rituals, and customs. Some celebrations, like Beltane and Holi, focus on fertility, growth, and the awakening of nature. Others, such as Easter and Nowruz, have spiritual connotations tied to specific beliefs and traditions. The food, music, and clothing associated with each celebration also differ.
Spring Equinox celebrations, despite being different, have common themes and symbols. The most notable commonality is the emphasis on renewal and rebirth. These celebrations symbolize the transition from winter to spring and the hope for a bountiful year through rituals, symbols, and customs. Many celebrations during the Spring Equinox cultivate a sense of community and togetherness, gathering people to commemorate the changing of seasons and the start of a new cycle.
People across the globe commemorate the Spring Equinox with a variety of customs and rituals, reflecting the diversity of their cultures. The celebrations show how humans are deeply connected to nature and the seasons. While cultural significance, specific rituals, and customs may vary, the themes of renewal, rebirth, and community remain universal. These celebrations symbolize our unity with nature and our mutual longing for spring.
Author’s Note
The equinox serves as a reminder of the passage of time, the changing daylight, and the cyclical nature of life. It signifies both new beginnings and the closure of certain chapters. In the garden, the spring solstice marks the beginning of a fresh planting season, while the fall solstice signifies the conclusion of that season.
I am excited to embrace the arrival of spring, a time for new beginnings and the opportunity to cultivate and nurture our endeavors.
Credits for photos used in the video I created (with the help of Canva) to introduce this post on Instagram and other social media, go to Yan Liu on Unsplash, John Thomas on Unsplash, Aldeca Productions, and denayune.
Upcoming…
Haiku to honor baseball’s opening day:
Summer Beckons, 30 March 2024
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Isis and Osiris by Plutarch
The Masks of God: Occidental Mythology by Joseph Campbell
Fasti by Ovid
Runic Book of Days: A Guide to Living the Annual Cycle of Rune Magick by S. Kelley Harrell, M. Div.
THE RUBÁIYÁT OF OMAR KHAYYAM A New Translation from the Persian based on the edition of Mahmud Yerbudaki with a historical epilogue by Juan Cole
The Chiseled World by Neelam Saxena Chandra
What is Easter and Why Do Christians Celebrate It? Christianity.com