How the World Celebrates the Spring Equinox

Mar 33 min read

A vibrant field of yellow and pink tulips reaching towards the sky, symbolising renewal, growth, and the arrival of spring during the Spring Equinox. — As the Spring Equinox marks a time of renewal and balance, cultures worldwide celebrate the season’s arrival with unique traditions and festivals.

As we shake off the winter gloom and get ready to welcome spring, cultures around the world mark this seasonal transition with vibrant festivals and ancient traditions. The Spring Equinox is not just an astronomical event, it’s a time of renewal, balance, and celebration. From centuries-old rituals to modern gatherings, here’s how different cultures honour the arrival of spring.

1. Chichén Itzá, Mexico – The Descent of Kukulcán

view of the El Castillo pyramid at Chichén Itzá, Mexico, where thousands gather during the Spring Equinox to witness the shadow illusion of Kukulcán, the feathered serpent god.

One of the most famous equinox celebrations takes place at Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mexico. The ancient Maya civilization designed the El Castillo pyramid so that during the equinox, the sun creates an illusion of a serpent slithering down the steps. This event symbolises the return of Kukulcán, the feathered serpent god, and draws thousands of visitors each year.

2. Nowruz – The Persian New Year

A beautifully arranged Haft-Seen table, a traditional Persian New Year setting featuring symbolic items such as apples, candles, coins, and wheatgrass to welcome Nowruz.

For over 3,000 years, the Persian New Year, Nowruz, has been celebrated on the Spring Equinox, marking the start of a new year in Iran and many other countries. Rooted in Zoroastrian traditions, Nowruz involves cleaning the home (known as Khaneh-Tekani), setting up a Haft-Seen table with symbolic items, and spending time with family. Fire-jumping festivals and festive meals complete this joyous occasion.

3. Shunbun no Hi – Japan’s Vernal Equinox Day

A chalkboard with the words “Shunbun no Hi” written on it, placed beside a small Japanese flag, representing Japan’s national holiday celebrating the Spring Equinox.

In Japan, Shunbun no Hi is a national holiday that falls on the Spring Equinox. Traditionally, it is a time to pay respects to ancestors and visit family graves. As part of the Buddhist tradition of Higan, many people take this opportunity to reflect on harmony and balance in life, which aligns with the symbolism of equal daylight and darkness on the equinox.

4. Holi – The Festival of Colours in India

Children celebrating Holi in India, holding vibrant coloured powders in their hands, symbolising joy, renewal, and the arrival of spring.

Although primarily associated with Hindu mythology, Holi, the Festival of Colours, coincides closely with the Spring Equinox. It is a celebration of new beginnings, love, and the triumph of good over evil. People throw coloured powders, dance, and enjoy festive foods, welcoming the arrival of warmer days and the blossoming of nature.

5. Stonehenge, England – A Gathering of Druids and Pagans

A scenic view of the ancient Stonehenge monument under a partly cloudy sky, where Druids, Pagans, and spiritual seekers gather to celebrate the Spring Equinox.

At Stonehenge, one of the world’s most mysterious ancient monuments, modern-day Druids, Pagans, and spiritual seekers gather to witness the sunrise aligning with the stones on the Spring Equinox. The event symbolises balance, fertility, and the awakening of the earth, much as it likely did for the prehistoric builders of this iconic site.

6. Balinese New Year – Nyepi, the Day of Silence

A vibrant Balinese Nyepi parade featuring large Ogoh-Ogoh effigies representing demonic spirits, carried through the streets as part of purification rituals before the Day of Silence.

In Bali, Indonesia, the Balinese New Year, Nyepi, falls around the time of the Spring Equinox. Unlike other celebrations, this festival is marked by complete silence, meditation, and fasting. Streets empty, businesses close, and people reflect on the past year. The day before, however, is filled with colourful processions and Ogoh-Ogoh (demonic effigy) parades, symbolising the cleansing of negative energies.

7. Equinox Festivals in the United States

A panoramic cityscape of Salem, Oregon, illuminated at dusk, representing the location of modern Spring Equinox festivals in the United States.

Various cities across the United States host Spring Equinox festivals, blending modern and ancient traditions. Events like the Vernal Equinox Celebration in Cahokia Mounds, Illinois, pay homage to Native American heritage, while yoga and wellness retreats in places like Sedona, Arizona, embrace the spiritual side of the equinox.

Spring Equinox: A Time of Balance and Renewal

The Spring Equinox has been celebrated for centuries as a time of rebirth, fertility, and harmony. Whether through ancient rituals or modern festivities, cultures worldwide recognise this astronomical event as a moment to honour nature, reflect on the past, and welcome new beginnings.

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