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In Bloom

Spring Rituals

Select Poems of William Wordsworth (by William Wordsworth)
Lines Written in Early Spring (by Wordsworth, William)
The Sonnets of William Shakespeare : The... Volume 1, The Reader's Library (by Shakespeare, William)
The Poems of Robert Frost (by Frost, Robert.)

In destinations around the globe, many people are eager to celebrate the arrival of spring. After a long, dark winter they’re stepping outdoors to welcome the sunshine. Many cultures have their own ceremonies and festivals to mark this joyous time—a season synonymous with rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, and regrowth.

During early spring, the axis of the Earth is increasing its tilt in relation to the Sun. The duration of daylight increases and warm weather brings forth new plant growth. Many literary greats such as William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth and Robert Frost wrote in praise of the joys of springtime.

In European countries such as the UK and Switzerland, May Day is held on May 1. This celebration (in some countries, it’s a day to celebrate workers’ rights) is an ancient pagan holiday, which celebrates the renewal of life. Dances, singing, and eating cake are part of the festivities.

Many Catholics observe Easter, which marks Christ’s resurrection. Held annually on a Sunday, Easter marks the end of Holy Week and the termination of Lent. The holiday is associated with many traditions and symbols such as bunny rabbits and eggs. The bunny is derived from the pagan festival of Eostre—the German goddess of fertility whose symbol is a rabbit. Eggs, which represent new life, are also associated with Easter. The Easter holiday is also synonymous with elaborate Easter parades and the distribution of candy to children.

In Bangladesh’s Bengali calendar, Falgun is the eleventh month and marks the arrival of spring. Also referred to as “Pohela Falgun,” this celebratory day usually falls in mid-February. To mark the joyous occasion, women wear vibrant yellow or orange saris or dresses, and use fresh flowers to embellish their hair. Men also don traditional clothing in celebration.

Every spring, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and others around the globe celebrate the “Festival of Colors,” which is also referred to as Holi and is associated with the Hindu religion. Observed on the last full moon of the lunar month, it signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. Revelers toss vibrantly colored powder and water at others. Dancing and enjoying culinary delicacies are part of the festivals.

In mid-April, Thailand’s three-day Songkran Festival marks the Thai New Year. A public water fight represents the cleansing of negative influences. Although the traditional activity was more of a respectful sprinkling or blessing of water onto others, since the celebrations coincide with the hottest time of the year, revelers often drench one another in the streets.

By Regina Molaro