Spring Equinox Rituals From Around The World

The egg, with all its promise of new life, is a common symbol of spring, and therefore finds its way into a multitude of spring celebrations. While many cultures from the ancient Saxons to the ancient Persians chose to dye and decorate eggs, an ancient Chinese folk belief states that on the first day of spring, you can stand an egg upright with minimal effort. Despite the mystical roots of the myth, there is no special gravitational forces at work due to the alignment of the Sun — but that doesn't mean you shouldn't grab a fresh egg and give it a try!

Shunbun no Hi, also known as Vernal Equinox Day, is considered a national holiday in Japan, a time to celebrate family and nature. The special day, which falls in the middle of the seven-day festival of Haru no Higan, is a time when children return home and families gather to visit ancestral grave sites and honor and comfort the spirits by offering flowers and cleaning tombstones. As a nod to this ancient Buddhist tradition, make the vernal equinox a time of family reunion and take a moment to honor those who have passed. And don't forget to look out for the early blooming of local cherry blossoms!

The unique alignment of the sun makes the spring equinox the perfect time to take a trip. For those who wish to experience a remarkable sunrise, head over to Stonehenge or the Mayan site of Chichén Itza. These ancient monuments built around celestial calendars transform with the rising of the Sun during the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, as the Sun perfectly aligns with the stone monuments for symbolic significance.

Hindus celebrate the coming of spring with Holi, the "festival of colors." Taking place on the final full moon of the month, revelers take to the street and toss brightly-colored powder on friends and strangers alike to celebrate Krishna's pranks (much like the Western spring tradition of April Fool's Day). They welcome the season by playing, laughing, and dancing in the streets, which sounds pretty darn fun to me. While this year, Holi will not take place exactly on the vernal equinox, it fell pretty close to it on March 12.

For many druid tribes, the vernal equinox, known as Alban Eilir )which translates to "Light of the Earth"), celebrates nature in a time of transition. The Earth is thawing making way for the blooming daffodils, tulips, and, of course, clovers. The trefoil or shamrock was especially sacred to the druids; its three heart-shaped leaves symbolized the triple goddess known as the "Three Morgans." The shamrock was believed to have mystical powers of knowledge and protection, so this year, why not go on the hunt for a three-leaf clover and pin it to your clothing as a symbol of the power of spring.

While it is typical to start planting hearty vegetables in March and April, this rebirth of the Earth had special significance in ancient Italy. Women would make a special pilgrimage to the gardens of Adonis on the vernal equinox to plant seeds. In Sicily, the custom lives on, and women plant seeds of fennel, lettuce, grains, lentils, and flowers in pots on this day. The sprouts are later tied with a red ribbon and become symbols of life over death when placed on graves during Good Friday.

Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, falls on the day of the spring equinox. The spring festival has ancient roots going back thousands of years and was once celebrated with nearly two weeks of feasting and exchanging gifts, lighting bonfires, and the symbolic sprinkling of water. This year, ring in spring and celebrate rebirth by enjoying a hearty meal with friends and family.