In 2025, the March equinox occurs on March 20th at 5:01 A.M. EDT, a Thursday. This marks the astronomical start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. The date of the equinox can shift yearly, so March 21st isn’t always the first day of spring.
The spring equinox, also known as the March equinox or vernal equinox, happens when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving from south to north. This imaginary line in the sky sits directly above Earth’s equator. On this day, both hemispheres receive roughly equal amounts of sunlight. While daylight hours have been increasing since the winter solstice, the spring equinox marks a turning point where many locations experience more daylight than darkness. Daylight will continue to increase until the summer solstice in June.
The word “equinox” originates from Latin, meaning “equal night” (aequus – equal and nox – night). While not perfectly equal, day and night are nearly the same length worldwide on the equinox.
Spring can be defined in two ways: astronomically and meteorologically. Astronomically, spring begins on the spring equinox, which can fall on March 19th, 20th, or 21st. Meteorologically, spring starts on March 1st and ends on May 31st. This fixed-date system helps weather scientists compare seasonal statistics more easily.
While day and night are almost equal on the equinox, they aren’t exactly so. True equality would only occur if the Sun were a point of light and Earth had no atmosphere.
Colorful tulips blooming in spring, signifying the first day of spring
A popular folklore belief suggests that a raw egg can stand on its end on the equinox. While possible on the equinox, balancing an egg is achievable on other days as well. Success often depends on the egg’s shape and the surface’s texture.
The summer solstice, occurring between June 20th and 22nd, boasts the most daylight hours and is considered the “longest” day of the year.
Many cultures celebrate spring with festivals like Easter and Passover, marking new beginnings and nature’s renewal.
Ancient civilizations closely observed the Sun’s path, using it as a natural clock and calendar. The Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico is a prime example. On the spring equinox, the sunlight creates the illusion of a serpent descending the steps, a phenomenon known as “the return of the Sun serpent.”
Spring is celebrated with various verses, quotes, and sayings, reflecting the joy and renewal associated with the season.
