SPRINGING BACK INTO LIFE!

SPRINGING BACK INTO LIFE!

✦ Spring around the World

Ask many people what their favourite season is and, whereas you’ll no doubt get a mixed bag of responses, spring is often amongst the favourite choices.

Spring is the season where we transition from the cold, winter months into a warmer, brighter period. It very much represents a fresh start of sorts, a time for rebirth and renewal when flowers bloom, baby animals are born and nature reawakens.

Of course in Australia the contrast between winter and summer is nowhere near as harsh as in many northern hemisphere countries but it is still as affectionately embraced as people look towards the warmer months and the endless list of activities that will allow. This year, arguably, the onset of spring is even more eagerly anticipated than usual due to the gloomy months of lockdown brought upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo Credit: Richard Shaw, richscapephotography.com

To welcome spring this year Brilliant- Online takes a look at how the season is celebrated and ushered in via some of the more unusual customs and traditions across various countries around the world.

We have the explosion of joy and colour that is the Holi festival in India where a sumptuous blend of sounds, smells and colours signify the arrival of the season.

➸ The Holi festival in India signifies the arrival of Spring.

Likewise in Thailand where the energetic Songkran festival sees revellers gorge on a festival of eating, drinking, loud music, firecrackers and extensive water fights!

There are flower festivals in The Netherlands where elaborate floats made of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils travel the streets and crockery smashing in Greece to welcome in the new season while warding off bad spirits.

Snowmen are built then burned in Switzerland to represent ushering out the cold winter months and straw dolls are assembled then thrown into local waterways in Poland to symbolise the riddance of winter and the embrace of spring.

Eggs are symptomatic with spring in many parts of the world, be it in the chocolate form in places like the UK or in scrambled form as in parts of Bosnia. In the US it is not really spring until the official White House Easter Egg Roll has taken place.

Revellers reach for the sun in Mexico at ceremonies such as that witnessed annually at the Teotihuacan Pyramid and the month-long Nowruz festival takes place across much of Central Asia.

Japan is a country arguably best associated with spring as the world famous cherry blossoms usher in the new season, marking a time that has become one of the most popular tourist destinations.

➸ Cherry blossoms signifies the arrival of Spring in Japan.

There are many other customs in many other countries welcoming in the spring season that have been practised for generations. One thing is clear – wherever you celebrate the onset of spring, immerse yourself in the local culture and customs and, above all else, enjoy!

Photo Credit: Richard Shaw, richscapephotography.com