Things to be aware of regarding the 2025 vernal equinox. Lets learn more!

On Thursday, March 20, the vernal equinox marks the start of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the fall season in the Southern Hemisphere.

What are equinoxes?

The sun is exactly above the Equator at noon on this specific day. Only on equinoxes, which occur twice a year in March and September, are both poles illuminated at the same time.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal or fall equinox typically occurs between September 21 and 24 and the vernal or spring equinox typically occurs between March 19 and 21. In the Southern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox occurs on March 20, 2025, because the names are inverted.

The phrase is derived from the Latin words "aequus," which means "equal," and "nox," which means "night."

What happens to Earth on an equinox day?

Equinoxes mark the time of year when day and night are equal in duration.

Every other day, the Earth's axis is tilted either toward or away from the sun. This has an impact on how light and warmth from the sun are distributed throughout the hemispheres.

And what are solstices?

Solstices are days when there is a noticeable tilt of the Earth toward or away from the sun. The days and nights are equally irregular on these days, and the sun's warmth and light levels in each hemisphere vary widely.

The Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice, which takes place between June 20 and 22, results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year because the top half of the globe is tilted toward the sun.

In contrast, the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice, which falls between December 20 and 23, results in the year's shortest day and longest night because the top half of the globe is tilted toward the sun.

The cultural significance of the Spring Equinox

Since the ancient Babylonian calendar began with the first full moon following the March equinox, many civilizations have celebrated the new year in the spring.

The Persian new year, Nowruz, occurs on the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere. Zoroastrians worldwide, particularly the Parsi community in India, have commemorated the occasion for over 3,000 years. Beginning on the first day of the Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian solar calendar at the spring equinox, Nowruz lasts for twelve days.

Japan celebrates the vernal equinox day as a national holiday, even though Easter, one of the most important days in the Christian calendar, is also based on this date. The Jewish holiday of Passover begins with the first full moon following a vernal equinox.