Spring has begun
Spring
"Spring doesn't come when we want it to, it comes when the sun, with the fiery tips of its rays, manages to make the first hole in the gray blanket of the sky embroidered with clouds, under which the things of the earth sleep all winter."
"Spring doesn't come when we want it to, it comes when the sun, with the fiery tips of its rays, manages to make the first hole in the gray blanket of the sky embroidered with clouds, under which the things of the earth sleep all winter." This is the incipit of the book "Bandiera" by Mario Lodi. In 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea established March 21st as the beginning of Spring, when astrologically the Sun enters the sign of Aries. In reality, however, the Spring Equinox doesn't occur on the same date every year, since the actual date of the equinoxes, like the solstices, is dictated by the Earth's revolution. So perhaps it's right to agree with Mario Lodi. What is certain, however, is that the traditions linked to the beginning of Spring are countless.
Spring through the centuries
Humans have always associated holidays with the transition from one season to the next. The most celebrated and heartfelt one has been the Spring Equinox. This is because the relationship with the earth has always been important to humanity, and Spring represents the emblem of this bond. The earth comes back to life, thawing from the cold of winter and bringing with it hope, light, and the desire to begin again. If we look at astrology, although it isn't the sign of the first month of the year, it is Aries that marks the beginning of the Zodiac.
Spring celebrations date back to ancient Mesopotamia, where the New Year's Eve celebration was held to celebrate the god Marduk. In ancient Egypt, however, historical artifacts dating back 4,700 years testify to spring celebrations linked to Shal El Nessim. During the Greek and Roman periods, many celebrations were associated with this time of year, considered so important that it coincided with the beginning of the new year. In Greek mythology, in spring Persephone can return from the Underworld to visit her mother, and the earth celebrates by germinating and blossoming. Many traditions of the time are dedicated to her, as well as to the god Dionysus.
How Spring is celebrated in Italy and Tuscany
To mark the arrival of the new season, the tradition of the "Bonfires of Saint Joseph" is still alive in Italy. For this occasion, a puppet in the form of an "old woman" is made from brushwood and then burned. This ritual signifies the end of winter and the beginning of a new life cycle. In some parts of Italy, the "old woman" is still made, but it is made of cloth and filled with food, as a symbol of abundance.In Tuscany, especially in Pisa and Florence, the memory of the beginning of the year coinciding with the arrival of Spring is still alive. In these cities, New Year's Eve is celebrated on March 25th. New Year's Eve celebrations are still deeply felt and are accompanied every year by historical reenactments, with dancing, music, and period costumes. In these lands, however, Spring is not remembered and celebrated only on its first day, but throughout its entire duration, especially in the month of May, accompanied by numerous folk festivals and fairs.
Spring for the rest of the world
Spring is celebrated throughout the world. Hindus celebrate the Festival of Colors , which commemorates the victory of good over evil and during which every person is equally important. Tradition, linked to the legends of the god Krishna, dictates that couples paint each other's faces as a sign of affection. In Japan, however, the traditions associated with this special moment are countless. Most of them, however, are related to flowers, especially cherry blossoms. In Spain, it is believed that on the night of the equinox, little fairies, capable of communicating with all the elements of nature, crowd the hills of the state in celebration, distributing rose petals. Those who manage to find the fairy petal will have a happy life.