This Saturday is the Fall Equinox! We’ll spend about twelve hours in daylight and twelve hours in darkness, and after that the days will get darker as the weather gets colder. Because it marks the return of fall and chilly weather, some people dislike the Equinox––but autumn and its Equinox have been significant to cultures all over the world for hundreds of years. Here are just five ways people around the world have celebrated autumn:
Historical France
When the French Revolution overthrew the monarchy, the revolutionaries wanted to sever any ties to the nation’s past. They established a new French Republic with a unique French Republican calendar. In this new calendar, the first day of the year was the Autumnal Equinox.
Japan
In Japan, the Autumnal and Vernal Equinoxes are both recognized as national holidays, with their dates determined in February the year before. According to the Japanese-America Society of Washington DC, the Autumnal Equinox is a time to prioritize respect for ancestors and mourning for those we have lost.
Central and Eastern Europe
Before Christianity overtook Slavic Paganism in the 16th century, the harvest festival Dożynki was celebrated on or near the Fall Equinox. Today, it takes place on a Sunday after the harvest season. Because so many regions celebrate Dożynki, the holiday can differ greatly depending on what area you visit. One common feature is the blessing of a wreath, which symbolizes wealth and the harvest. Dożynki has particular cultural significance in Poland, and some Polish-Americans celebrate the holiday to connect with their European roots.
South Korea
South Korea’s biggest fall holiday is Chuseok. Chuseok (秋夕) literally means “an autumn evening” (chu, 秋; seok, 夕), and it takes place around the largest full moon of the year. This three-day harvest festival has its roots in Korea's third century Three Kingdoms Period. Families hold morning funeral services at their ancestors’ burial sites, complete with a carefully arranged breakfast. After these services, which are called Charye (차례, 茶禮), people exchange gifts and play games. Because of its emphasis on family, gratitude, and harvest, Chuseok has been called a Korean Thanksgiving.
Rye, New York
Friends of Rye Nature Center is welcoming fall with one of our favorite annual traditions: Oktoberfest! This year’s celebration is September 29th, and we can’t wait. We hope to see you all there!