4 Facts You Didn’t Know About the Spring Equinox/Easter

The spring equinox occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the time of year with equal amounts of day and night across the globe. It usually falls on March 20 or 21 every year, although some cultures celebrate it at different times of the year based on their locations in relation to the equator and their date of beginning spring harvesting. While we’re all used to thinking about time in terms of hours and minutes, the equinox is an interesting reminder that our sense of time has little to do with the Earth’s rotation around its axis.

It marks the first day of spring.

Although many associate it with Easter, it marks the first day of spring in much of North America and Europe. Most places in these areas observe daylight saving time on March 25.

Easter is also known as Pascha, meaning Passover.

The spring equinox occurs at what is traditionally considered to be Easter. Pascha (Greek: Πάσχα) is a transliteration of Hebrew פֶּסַח (Pesach), meaning to pass over, in reference to God passing over the houses of Israelite children during the final plague on Egypt. Many other translations exist, such as Resurrection Sunday or Christ’s mass.

There are many different places around the world where they celebrate it.

The ancient Athenians gathered on Midsummer’s Day, June 23rd. In Iran, it is celebrated on March 21st and 22nd. The Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe celebrate it at Easter and they call it Maslenits or Kupala Night. The Zoroastrians call it No Ruz (New Day). Some Native American tribes, such as those in New Mexico, celebrate it too.

Easter.

The spring equinox occurs on April 17 every year, which means that day is just as long as night. In other words, 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark.