March has long been associated with change, energy and the first clear signs of spring. Named after the Roman god of war, it once marked the beginning of the Roman calendar and still carries a sense of renewal and momentum.
From seasonal shifts and curious traditions to strange facts about nature, science and the human body, the month provides plenty of fascinating talking points.
God of War
March is named after Mars, the Roman god of war – it was once the first month of the Roman calendar.
It’s the month when winter officially turns into spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The Spring Equinox usually falls around 20th March, when day and night are almost equal in length.
March is known for its unpredictable weather – sunshine, rain, wind and even snow can all appear in one day.
The phrase “mad as a March hare” comes from hares’ energetic behaviour during mating season.
International Women’s Day is on 8th March, and St Patrick’s Day is on 17th.
March’s birthstone is Aquamarine, said to symbolise calm, courage and clarity.
The birth flower for March is the Daffodil, a symbol of hope and renewal.
A Dozen Bees
A single teaspoon of honey is the lifetime work of 12 bees.
There are glow-in-the-dark mushrooms that can light up forests at night.
Some metals explode in water, yet are safe to touch when dry.
The moon has moonquakes, similar to earthquakes.
A shrimp’s punch can be as hot as the surface of the sun (briefly).
You can hear a blue whale’s call from hundreds of miles away.
Plants can “hear” caterpillars chewing and release chemicals to defend themselves.
Glowing Humans
There’s a species of ant that farms aphids like cows.
Your brain rewrites memories every time you recall them.
There’s a town in Australia that lives mostly underground to escape the heat.
Humans glow faintly due to biochemical reactions in the body.
The average person walks past 16 murderers in their lifetime (statistically speaking).
There are more possible games of chess than atoms in the observable universe.
“Tongueprints”
The smell of freshly cut grass is actually a plant’s distress signal.
There are fingerprints on your tongue, just like your hands.
A lightning bolt is five times hotter than the surface of the sun.
Butterflies remember being caterpillars, despite completely changing their bodies.
There are more trees on Earth than stars in the Milky Way.
Certain sounds can make your eyes water instantly – even without emotion.
Over One Trillion Smells
The human nose can detect over one trillion smells.
Your heart changes shape slightly depending on how you breathe.
Some people can hear their own eyeballs move.
Time moves slightly faster at the top of your head than at your feet.
Some lakes can turn animals to stone due to mineral content.
Your body produces enough heat in 30 minutes to boil a kettle.
We hope you enjoyed reading “It’s All About March – Month of the Spring Equinox”. Click here for more of our Do You Know features.
