Spring Equinox

About Spring Equinox

The March equinox is the moment when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are about equal across the world. For the northern hemisphere it signals the start of spring and in many cultures, a new year. Nowruz is celebrated at this moment across Iran and Central Asia. In Japan, the equinox is a national holiday, Shunbun no Hi, and the week around it, Higan, is a time to visit family graves and eat ohagi, sweet rice balls covered in red bean paste. In Mexico, thousands gather at Chichén Itzá, where the afternoon light falls on the steps of the pyramid of Kukulcán in a pattern that looks like a serpent. Neopagans mark Ostara, and Christians fix the date of Easter by it. Many gardeners plant their first seeds.

Spring Equinox dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

What is eaten

• ohagi
• eggs
• spring greens

Traditions of Spring Equinox

NowruzThe new year at the equinox.HiganThe Japanese Buddhist week of the equinox.

More marked on Spring Equinox

🇹🇷 Turkey and 5 moreNewrozنەورۆز A Kurdish spring festival and new year celebration marked by bonfires, dance, and the lighting of fires.Festival 🇲🇽 Papantla, Mexico and 1 moreDanza de los Voladores A Mesoamerican rite of dance and rope, flown from a tall pole to ask for rainSpiritual 🇺🇦 Ukraine and 7 moreEgg decorating Decorating eggs with dye, wax and carving, kept at Easter, Nowruz and springCraft