2016/03/21
Today is the spring equinox!


Today, March 21st, 2016, is the spring equinox, the day between winter and summer when daytime and nighttime are of equal length. This is also known as the vernal equinox, but in casual conversation "spring" is probably more common than "vernal."

The word equinox combines the Latin roots "equi," meaning "equal", and "noct," meaning "night." In fact, you already knew the root "equi" from the word "equal" itself! And you may have learned the root "noct" if you came across the term "nocturnal animal." Nocturnal animals like owls, cats, and bats are mostly active at night, and usually sleep in the daytime.

Here in Japan, the spring equinox is marked by the holiday "Shunbun no Hi" (春分の日). According to vercalendario.info, "this national holiday was established in 1948 as a day for the admiration of nature and the love of living things." But in practice, many Japanese people observe Shunbun no Hi by visiting their family graves to pay respects to their ancestors.

It's a little chilly today, but I hope you enjoy the spring equinox!



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