|
The First Day of Spring (Vernal
Equinox)
USA
vs.
Japan
March 19, 2003
(modified: 2019)
USA
March 21, the vernal equinox, is fast approaching.
But, we don't get a day off for this day.
As some calendars in the
US
indicate, this day
is the “First Day of Spring” in the
US
.
Also, Spring Break is around this time.
After this break students will go back to school and finish the school
year in May or June.
February 2: See the photo of "groundhogs” (woodchucks);
our photos or < http://www.hoghaven.com
> On this day Americans watch the groundhog (an animal) emerge from his
burrow after hibernation. Tradition
says that his behavior forecasts when spring will arrive. Accordingly,
February 2nd or February 2nd + 6 weeks is a sort of start of spring in the
US
.
Details are in Our
Letter 23.
By the way, Groundhog Day doesn't sound glamorous or modern (Oops! Sorry
this might be a stereotype), but it is an interesting facet of American life.
It looks like this day originated from a European tradition. Note: As for
Minnesota
, spring will come
in April or May. L
Japan
On March 21, the Vernal Equinox day,
Japan
has a national
holiday. It’s also intriguing that
at least both countries recognize this day as a special day.
February
4: In Japan, the first day of spring
is February 4, “Ritsu-Shun.” As
for
Japan
, February 3rd, a
day before Ristu-shun, there is "Setsubun." Setsubun Day is
celebrated by throwing roasted soybeans inside and outside the house while
saying, "Welcome good fortune! Go away, Demons!" By the way,
these roasted soybeans taste good. On
that day some adults of certain ages, like 42 year old men, go to a shrine to
pray for getting rid of bad luck while dropping small money, usually wrapped in
paper, in the shrine court. Kids can
pick up the money on the ground. Setsubun
shows another side of the Japanese too, doesn't it?
All cultures have interesting traditions, don't they? Also, the first day
of spring in
Japan
is February 4,
while in the
US
it would be
February 2. Only two days separate
the two countries. One of the
reasons why early February became the first day of spring may be due to the fact
that those who live in the Northern hemisphere are getting tired of winter by
early February.
Info. about the vernal equinox
<
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/riteofspring1.html >
Newsletter 38 (Japanese)
15322 190320
March 20 Vernal
Equinox
春分の日
Letter
38 |
レター38 (Spring Begins, First Day of Spring)
"Vernal equinox lands on March 21, March 20, or March 19?"
March 20, 2019
The spring equinox is Wednesday, March 20: 7 things to
know about the first day of spring. - Vox
RAW: Sky9 captures Spring Equinox supermoon setting
over Colorado's mountains | 9news.com
14098 180320
Here's What the Spring Equinox Looks Like From Space | Time
March 20 Vernal
Equinox
8789 150320
March 20 Vernal
Equinox
春分の日
Letter
38 |
レター38 (Spring Begins, First Day of Spring)
"Vernal equinox lands on March 21, March 20, or March 19?"
7254 140924
Earth at
Equinox "Astronomy Photo of the Day" by
NASA September
22,
2014, Video taken by the Russian
meteorological satellite
Elektro-L
during last year's September equinox.
Saturn
at Equinox "Astronomy Photo of the Day" by
NASA September
21,
2014, photo
Credit:
Cassini Imaging Team,
ISS,
JPL,
ESA,
NASA
5425 140322
Solargraphy Analemmas
"Astronomy Photo of the Day" by
NASA
March 20,
2014
Analemma - Wikipedia
5403 140320
Equinox
on a Spinning Earth
"Astronomy Photo of the Day" by
NASA
March19,
2014
How Equinox's Work - Beyond Our Earth - YouTube
Spring Equinox 2009 Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico -
YouTube
El Castillo, Chichen Itza - Wikipedia
Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Ostara, Eostre, Ostern -
YouTube
The Meaning of the Spring Equinox - YouTube
Spring - Ostara - YouTube
4709 140112
Equinox
Earth
"Astronomy Photo of the Day" by
NASA September
28, 2013
March 20 Vernal
Equinox
春分の日
Letter
38 |
レター38 (Spring Begins, First Day of Spring)
"Vernal equinox lands on March 21, March 20, or March 19?"
Astronomy page
**************************
Autumnal Equinox
7231 140922
September 22, 2014 Autumnal Equinox: First Day of Fall
Letter 110:
English |
Japanese Autumnal Equinox (First Day of Fall,
September 22, 2014) USA vs. Japan
Equinoxes video
National Geographic
Everything you need to know: September equinox - EarthSky
Deborah Byrd, Tonight | Astronomy Essentials, 09/21/2014
Mechanism of The Seasons - YouTube
Astronomy page
See our Letters:
070 First Day of Summer (Summer solstice)
102 First Day of Winter (Winter solstice)
110 First Day of
Fall (Autumnal equinox)
modified: 2019
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