March 20 — Vernal Equinox: traditions and features

At the end of March, people all over the World can observe one of the most interesting astronomical phenomena — the vernal equinox. This is a time when the length of day and night is almost the same regardless of the hemisphere. Read about what the equinox is from a scientific point of view and what traditions are associated with it among different peoples of the world in the Izvestia material.

The vernal Equinox in 2025 — on what date

The vernal equinox does not have a fixed date; in the Northern Hemisphere of our planet, it most often falls on March 19-21. Once upon a time, people focused only on the approximate dates of this event, but now scientists can calculate the time of the equinox to the minute. In 2025, it will begin on March 20 at 12:01 Moscow time.

The vernal Equinox on March 20, 2025 — from a scientific point of view

The equinox is the moment when the Sun is positioned exactly above the equator of our planet. The fact is that the axis of rotation of the Earth relative to the plane of motion around the sun has an inclination. It is thanks to him that the seasons change, since as you move along the orbit, the angle of incidence of sunlight on the surface of the planet and the duration of illumination change.

Twice a year, in March and September, the rays fall perpendicular to the equator, which is why both hemispheres of the Earth receive the same amount of light, and day and night are compared in duration. After that, the day will gradually lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere, and shorten in the Southern Hemisphere. This process will last until June 20, the summer solstice, after which the daylight hours will gradually decrease.

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The passage of the Sun over the equator during the equinox is often accompanied by interruptions in the operation of communications satellites moving in a stationary orbit. The fact is that at this time, the radiation from the sun introduces strong interference into the radio signals coming from orbit and back. Because of this, the Internet is turned off in some remote regions, such as Alaska or St. Helena Island. And in India, during the equinox, financial exchanges are interrupted for several hours.

Traditions for the Vernal Equinox in 2025

In many world cultures, the vernal equinox has been given a special mystical significance. The moment when day and night became equal was considered ideal for various kinds of rituals, religious rituals, fortune-telling and magical practices. The equinox was often associated with the onset of spring and, consequently, the renewal of nature and the whole world, the awakening from winter sleep.

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The Slavs celebrated this day with fairs and folk festivals. In the morning, the housewives baked various treats, including cookies in the form of birds. Before they were eaten, they were thrown into the air and caught, hoping in this way to attract happiness and prosperity into their lives. In the evening, bonfires were lit in high places, around which they sang and danced until late at night. The young men demonstrated their courage and agility by jumping over the flames. According to beliefs, this game protected against diseases and the influence of dark forces.

The vernal equinox also played an important calendar role. From that moment on, farmers in most regions began to actively prepare for the planting season, checking equipment, stocks of seeds and fertilizers. To this day, the date of Orthodox Easter is counted from the day of the equinox — it is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox.

In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Iran and other Turkic—speaking countries, the vernal equinox is celebrated especially magnificently, as Navruz is celebrated on this day - the holiday of the arrival of spring. It is also considered the beginning of the new year. On this day, they prepare various traditional dishes, arrange festivities, visit, give gifts and participate in folk amusements.

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In Japan, the spring and autumn equinoxes are marked by the holiday of commemoration of the ancestors — Higan. It starts three days before the astronomical event and lasts a week. At this time, residents of the Land of the Rising Sun visit cemeteries and temples, clean up the house and prepare ritual dishes. At the same time, meat is not put on the table, paying tribute to the Buddhist tradition of not harming living beings.