With springtime in bloom, the sunny skies signal new beginnings. This sense of renewal isn’t limited to those of us on campus—ever since the start of March, cultures all over the world have ushered in the season with anticipation. Whether through vibrant festivals or serene moments of introspection, here are five cultural traditions that are bound to rejuvenate even after the coldest of winters.
1. Holi
This festival of colors wrapped up on March 14, but its legacy of light-hearted fun and the triumph of good over evil is a crucial way to start off the new Hindu year. It’s typically celebrated at the very end of the Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar, the 12th and final month. It’s also connected to two stories within Hindu mythology—one story is that of the demon king, Hiranyakashipu, conspiring with his sister, Holika, to kill his son, Prahlad, for worshipping the deity, Vishnu. Divine intervention, however, prevented Prahlad’s death, and Hindus celebrate this triumph of good over evil by throwing gulal (colored powders) and shooting water guns at each other in the streets. People generally wear white clothing, a canvas soon to be adorned by an assortment of bright colors during the festival.
2. Songkran
“Songkran” comes from a Sanskrit word that translates most closely to “the passing of” and “movement” in English. This Thai festival celebrates the start of the Buddhist new year, and is centered around water. From April 13 to 15, the aim of the festival is to purify and cleanse. Religious traditions include bathing Buddha statues and pouring water on the palms of monks and elders as a gesture of humility. The festival also includes parades of ornate flowers within the city of Khon Kaen, and people wear colorful floral clothing and/or traditional Thai attire. During the first day, participants pour fragrant water onto Buddha statues, cleansing away the old year and welcoming the new. The second day involves young generations pouring the water over the palms of monks and elders as they receive garlands and their elders’ blessings in exchange. It also provides relief from what is typically the hottest day in the entire year.
3. Hanam
From March 18 to April 6, families hold picnics and celebrate the blooming cherry blossoms (sakura). Every year, people flock to the 800 cherry trees in Tokyo’s Ueno Park. Ueno began its tradition of celebrating sakura circa the 17th century, when the priest Tenkai planted the first sakura from Mt. Yoshino. Since then, Tokyo has inspired countless haiku poets, including the noteable Matsuo Basho. Once the sun sets, lanterns illuminate pathways along the park, and tourists bask in nature’s quiet beauty.
4. Las Fallas
Originating in Valencia, Spain, Las Fallas commemorates Saint Joseph with a display of detonating firecrackers. The festival spans from March 15 to 19, and originates from an old carpenter’s tradition. Carpenters would burn their old pieces of wood that once held up their lights during winter in the advent of spring. Over time, people have added old belongings and rags to the wood. Now, they’ve evolved into life-sized ninots—papier-mâché sculptures of popular characters or famous people. These five days feature a series of processions throughout the streets, ranging from historical reenactments to comedic performances.
5. Baba Marta
This tradition is a tribute to the Bulgarian legend of “Grandma Marta,” who represents the arrival of spring after a snowy winter. On March 1, people wear a chain of white and red cotton threads twisted together called a martenitsa. The martenitsas are meant to ward off bad luck, worn until one sees a blossoming fruit tree or a stork. The legend behind this holiday has been told since the 7th century: the ruler of the Bulgars, Khan Asparuh, tried to help his sister escape incarceration in a distant land. He delivered a message to reunite with her in what is now modern-day Bulgaria. His sister, in an attempt to find a path to Bulgaria, tied a white thread to the leg of a falcon while holding the other end in her hand. Once the falcon reached Bulgaria, an arrow pierced it, and the thread turned red. Since then, the white thread has evolved to symbolize longevity, while the red thread represents health. The martenitsas have also taken the form of small yarn dolls, the red representing a woman and the white representing a man.
No matter the culture or calendar, the end of a year always brings vitality and joy. As spring quarter begins (albeit a little after springtime itself), so will a new set of goals and responsibilities. But if the polyphony of pyrotechnics, water guns, and bonfires have taught us anything, it’s that this relentless cycle of life is worth experiencing, no matter the storms we have yet to weather. So let’s start this quarter off with a bang.
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Featured Image via Adobe Stock.
