Flowers, the emblem of spring.
Spring is one of the seasons of the year, the one that follows winter and precedes summer . The etymological origin of the term refers to the “first greenery” , in reference to the fact that, in the spring season, the plants turn green.
At an astronomical level, spring begins between September 22 and 23 in the southern hemisphere and between March 20 and 21 in the northern region of the planet . Its completion occurs around December 21 (south) or June 21 (north).
Spring traditions and symbolism
Since ancient times, spring has been associated with youth and life . During fall and winter, weather conditions cause many plants to dry out and lose their foliage. With spring, however, they are reborn and the flora regains its splendor. For this reason, the arrival of spring is experienced with joy and celebrations are even organized.
By extension to this association between spring and the flowering of life, “spring” is described as youth or the best stage in a person's existence: “I was in the spring of my life when I met Marta , ” “I spent my spring years in a house by a lake,” “How far away spring was: now I am an old man who can barely walk.”
It is worth mentioning that, traditionally, spring is also linked to love and the beginning of relationships. It is common for many bonds to be born on the first day of the season, something that can be seen in the numerous events and outings, where the protagonists are generally the youngest. Let's look at some of these celebrations in different parts of the world, below.
Celebrations on the American continent
In Argentina , for example, September 21 is Spring Day , which coincides with Student Day . On that day, thousands of young people gather in parks and squares to enjoy the outdoors.
Bird on a branch.
The city of Teotihuacán was one of the most important cities in Mesoamerica before the Spanish conquest and is considered the site where the gods were born. Mexico is one of the countries in which the arrival of spring is most intensely celebrated, and the origin of this interest in natural phenomena was inherited from the Mayans, who observed and studied them in depth. Every March 21, the city dresses up and the sky is covered with hot air balloons that give the landscape even greater color.
In Peru, an international festival is organized that takes place between the end of September and the first days of October. It is worth mentioning that Trujillo is known as the City of Eternal Spring and during its celebrations it does everything possible to maintain this nickname. The floats that are part of the great parade stand out, throughout which they compete for the first prize.
Spring in Europe and Asia
Every year, the celebration of spring in Seville lasts a week and gives rise to unforgettable encounters between people from all over the country and also tourists. The fair , which begins on Monday and ends on Sunday with fireworks, offers a very typical atmosphere of the country: music and dancing everywhere, lanterns and light bulbs that illuminate the walk, hundreds of booths and an amusement park, all soaked in an attitude of joy and celebration , leaving obligations for the following week.
In the land of the rising sun, spring is celebrated throughout the cherry blossom period, which occurs between March and April from north to south. The celebration consists of going to the parks and contemplating nature : groups of family or friends gather around the cherry trees and have picnics both day and night.