Spring Equinox & Its Relationship with Vishu, Passover, Easter
Saturday was the spring equinox and the official start of spring in the United States. Spring equinox is when the day and night are equal in the northern hemisphere. It was a beautiful day. There was no cloud in the sky and the temperature reached as high as 73 degree Fahrenheit. I am glad the winter was over. It was the worst in recorded history in the city of Philadelphia where I live. The total snow fall exceeded 70 inches in the city.
I have lived in places like Montana (Northwest United States) where winters are longer (over six months) and 70 inches of snow is not newsworthy. But heavy snowfall in densely populated cities and regions is a completely different matter. Philadelphia, New York and the state of New Jersey make up one of the most densely populated regions on earth (the distance between New York and Philadelphia is only about 80 miles).
This winter many people in these regions lived without heating, electricity or hot water. The snow and the heavy winds took down power cables (I was without heating for over two weeks because the external fan started malfunctioning). This winter I often wondered how human beings who did not have access to electric heating or high tech snow plowing equipment or grocery stores survived the winter and cold weather conditions thousands of years ago.
There is no question that their lives were tough. Many of them probably lost their lives because of starvation or snow bite. But there is no question that these people closely monitored the seasons and the position of the sun and the moon relative to earth. Their life and survival depended on it.
Over the next few weeks people all over the world will celebrate the birth of the sun. Ancient cultures considered the spring equinox to be one of the most significant times on their calendar. The spring equinox signifies the beginning of victory of light over darkness. The son (sun) of god starts his victory lap over his arch rival darkness (night).
The son of god is the sun. Human beings in ancient times considered the sun to be mediator between the heavens and earth. They considered the spring solstice to be the birth of the sun (resurrection) and the winter solstice (normally during the end of December) to be the death of the sun (shortest day but longest night).
Malayalees like me from all over the world will soon start celebrating Vishu in a few weeks (Vishu is the New Year). Vishu in Sanskrit means “equal” and clearly shows that this is day dedicated to celebrate the spring equinox and therefore the sun. The Vishukkanni is something I look forward to.
When I was young my mom would drag me out of bed before sunrise (you are not supposed to open your eyes) and then slowly guide you to the pooja room. You can open your eyes only when you are in front of the lamp (nilavilakku) that is already lit. Imagine Malayalees celebrating this festival 1200 years ago. Can we humans pay a greater homage to the sun than this?
The Jewish people celebrate Passover as a festival commemorating the Jewish peoples escape from enslavement in Egypt and their entry into the holy land of Israel. The sacred Jewish scripture Torah (Old Testament as the Christians call it) tells the Jews to “guard the month of spring and make the Pesach (Passover) offering”. Passover just like Vishu also signifies the beginning of the New Year for Jews.
The Christian festival of Easter has its roots in Judaism and Paganism. Both Jews and Pagans have celebrated the death and resurrection of their gods for thousands of years. Many Christians still celebrate Easter as the day the son of god (Jesus) was resurrected after his crucifixion. The origin of the word Easter most believe is from the Anglo-Saxon fertility goddess Eostre. As Christianity grew it was natural for them to practice and adopt and modify existing non-Christian festivals and include them in Christian theology.
But as we celebrate the spring solstice, Vishu, Passover and Easter let us remember our friends in the Southern Hemisphere. Their summer is almost coming to a close. The arrival of fall and old man winter is imminent. We hope they had a great summer and wish them good luck and a mild winter!!
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- “War on Christmas” Season
- Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ Myth
- An Indian Who Loves American Football
- Saint Thomas the Apostle of India
Category: Culture & Religion
Vishukkanni …bring back all the good times…mother, grandmother and great grandmother, all gone…but the memories remain fresh as spring
Yes it does. We still celebrate Vishu. Instead of the traditional Kani Konna (Kassia Fistula) we use Forsythia which blooms all over the place at this time of the year in the Northeast United States including our back yard.
Don’t forget the Vishu kai neetam (loved getting the kai neetam from elders). Took me back to the good old memories….look forward to celebrating it with friends and family in a few weeks.
Yep the Kai neetam is the fun part. Are you planning to have a traditional feast this year … and who is cooking?
Great write-up! Very informative.
When exactly is Vishu in USA this year (2010)? Thank you kindly.
Welcome Vinod. Vishu this year (2010) is on April 15. Happy Vishu.