ST JOSEPH’S DAY, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
19th March 2026
Christian
In some churches a feast day is held in honour of Joseph, who, together with Mary, was responsible for Jesus’ upbringing.
19th March 2026
Christian
In some churches a feast day is held in honour of Joseph, who, together with Mary, was responsible for Jesus’ upbringing.
3rd March 2026
Japanese
Clay dolls representing the Emperor and Empress of Japan, reminiscent of the ancient Heian court, are displayed in the home; and offerings of peach blossom, rice-wine and rice-cakes are placed before them, along with miniature multi-coloured sweetmeats. The dolls are intended to carry away any illness afflicting or threatening the daughters of the house. The day is widely celebrated by praying for daughters to grow up to be healthy and dutiful.
Today in Japan some towns sell ‘nagashi-bina’ sets, paper doll pairs designed to be set afloat – already sitting in boats of wood or straw. There may even be a ceremony in which participants dress like the most elaborate hina dolls, and set them afloat.
The Japanese hold ceremonial burnings of many types of objects – needles and umbrellas, dolls and toys, papers, letters, and various other tokens of work accomplished during the year. In some places there is an annual burning of Daruma dolls, which represents the year’s activities. The doll burning ceremony involves some kind of ceremonial cremation, possibly in the hope of conceiving healthy children.
The family lies at the heart of Hinamatsuri, and the health of its daughters is emphasised at this time each year to help ensure the future of the family line. There is an equal emphasis on both the role of the daughter and the respect for and obedience she owes to her parents.
15th March 2025
Christian
Mid-Lent Sunday, the 4th Sunday in Lent, has now become secularised and is more popularly known as Mother’s Day. It was, traditionally, a Sunday when Christians revisited their ‘mother church’ and took gifts to their mothers, which often included a simnel cake.
17th March 2026
National
This is a day celebrated in honour of the patron saint of Ireland, who lived in Britain in the 4th century CE. After his escape from being held hostage in Ireland, he became a priest and returned there to evangelise. His symbol is the shamrock, sprigs of which are worn on this day. Parades are held in Dublin and elsewhere, often of a secular nature.
17th – 23rd March 2026 Higan
20th March 2026 Shun No Hi
20th March 2026 Buddhist
Japanese
The equinoctial week of spring called Higan is known as the week many Japanese visit a grave of one’s ancestors with thanksgiving in March. They visit during the middle three days of this week in the Spring (March) and also in the Autumn (September). See the September entry for more details.
20th March 2026
Japanese
This is the day of the Spring equinox. As at the autumn equinox, harmony and balance are the themes, sutras are recited, and the graves of relatives are visited.
20th March 2026
Spring Equinox (Ostara) Pagan
Vernal Equinox (Alban Eiler or Alban Eilir) Druid
Now night and day stand equal. The Sun grows in power and the land begins to bloom. By the Spring Equinox, the powers of the gathering year are equal to the darkness of winter and death. The God (the Green Man) awakens during this season. Some dedicate this time to Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of fertility.
21st March 2026
Zoroastrian
The Zoroastrian NoRuz (New Year’s Day) is celebrated on the the first day of spring, and is the most important festival in the Zoroastrian year. Tradition claims it was founded by Prophet Zarathushtra himself, when, it is believed, the prophet received his first revelation from the Creator God, Ahura Mazda. It is popularly known as Jamsheedi NoRuz, since the pre Zoroastrian King Jamsheed assisted the Creator God, Ahura Mazda, by building an underground dwelling (similar to Noah’s Ark). This saved the creation from being utterly destroyed during the prolonged, bitter, snowy winter brought about by the evil spirit (Angra Mainyu).
NoRuz represents the resurgence of life and the symbolic victory of the forces of light over darkness. Prior to NoRuz the family springcleans the whole house, and preparations are made to grow green herbs and paint boiled eggs for the haftsheen table, which contains items associated with the seven attributes of Ahura Mazda – these are known as the Amesha Spentas. It is customary to wear new clothes and offer gifts, visit the Fire Temple to seek blessing from Ahura Mazda, and participate in a jashan or thanksgiving ceremony, followed by eating, drinking, dancing and making merry.
No Ruz is deeply embedded in Iranian culture, and is still celebrated as the New Year in Islamic Iran, although without any religious connotations.
21st March 2026
Baha’i
Naw-Ruz is the Baha’i New Year’s Day and coincides with the spring equinox. It is an ancient Persian festival celebrating the ‘New Day’ and it marks the end of the annual nineteen day fast that concludes the old year. Celebrations start at sunset on the day before the festival, often with gatherings for prayer, followed by a festive meal. For this the table is decorated with fruit, cakes, coloured eggs and other treats, as well as symbolic objects such as a holy book and a mirror.
Among the best known customs of Naw-Ruz is the haft-sin — the `seven S’s’. These are seven objects beginning – in Persian – with the letter `S’, namely hyacinths, apples, lilies, silver coins, garlic, vinegar and rue, all decoratively arranged on a table. A great deal of time is spent exchanging visits with friends and relations. The celebrations end on the thirteenth day of Naw-Ruz with a picnic in the country. Lentils that have sprouted are thrown into running water, carrying away the bad luck of the previous year.
Naw-Ruz is observed wherever Iranian culture has penetrated, notably among the Zoroastrians of India and in the emigré Iranian communities around the world. It is one of only two festivals mentioned by Zoroaster in the Avesta, the holy Zoroastrian scriptures written by Zoroaster himself. It is celebrated as a holy day by these two religions: Zoroastrianism and the Baha’i Faith.
This is one of the nine Baha’i holy days on which work should be suspended, and is generally observed with a gathering for prayer and celebration – often combined with a dinner, since the sunset on which Naw-Ruz begins ends the last day of the Baha’i fast. As with all Baha’i holy days, there are few fixed rules for observing Naw-Ruz, although Iranian Baha’is often follow Iranian traditions. Many Baha’is use Naw-Ruz as a day when gifts are given.
At its most basic, Naw-Ruz is a celebration of renewal and the coming of spring, as is common for festivals at this time of year. Some believe that their actions on Naw-Ruz will affect their lives throughout the rest of the coming year. Baha’is see it (and the fast that precedes it) as a time of renewal, meant to focus believers on their spiritual development. It is also a time for physical ‘spring cleaning’, clearing the home of old and unneeded items to make room for items that are new.
29th March – 5th April 2026
Christian (Western Churches)
This is the most solemn week of the Christian year, in which Christians recall the events of the final week of the earthly life of Jesus.