In many cultures, spring represents rebirth, renewal, and hope. Spring is also about positivity and beauty – two things that feel especially important now.
After a dark, cold, and long winter, glimpses of spring are always welcome and each year, scholars find their morale lifted greatly by these small changes to the weather and to their surroundings. So, in an effort to lift your morale, and to celebrate the spring equinox, six scholars share the best glimpses of spring they’ve seen recently.
Edward Bermido, Philippines
‘Seaton Park in Aberdeen is my place of respite when everything gets overwhelming. It is interesting because the name “Seaton” is a translation from Gaelic, which means “peaceful retreat”. The park has gardens, playing fields, wood trails, and meandering river. The centuries-old St. Machar Cathedral is an overlooking structure in the area.
The park is my daily route to and from my university, where I keenly observe how it transforms with the changing seasons like a living creature. During the winter, some of the plants died, and some entered the period of dormancy where they are just waiting for the right conditions to bloom.
I find it amazing, and almost magical, that out of nowhere these lovely flowers with all sorts of white, yellow, and purple colours just appeared one day. Suddenly, the park begins to show signs of life with the different flowers sprouting here and there. The squirrels in the park also turn into sprightly mood and seem to be inviting the dogs for a chase.
I learned from a European friend that these lovely flowers are crocus, snowdrops, and daffodils. Their appearance is a sign that spring is just around the corner. I realise that just as the seasons cyclically change, and just as the flowers die and bloom, our lives go on no matter what the circumstance and we have to live every moment of it.’
Wei Jiang, China
‘Spring has arrived in London earlier than I expected. The first sign of spring I discovered was blooming daffodils. Their bright yellow colour always brightens up my day. I used to buy daffodils to celebrate the Spring Festival in China, which is a tradition in my hometown. I am glad to find that we share a common passion for daffodils.
But there is one key difference in the way daffodils are grown here – here, they grow out of the soil while in China, daffodils are planted in water.’
Abybah Traoré, Other
‘As spring sets in, these beauties are blooming by the main entrance of Warwick Business School, and it reminds me of this quote: “Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.”’
Dito Adisuryo, Indonesia
‘After the snow came quite late in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, some corners of the city also welcomed the most wishful spring.
When walking through parts of this city, I have found these wildflowers, reds and purples, sending their warm welcomes. First, I saw some flowers near the Flodden Wall, a historic wall of the City of Edinburgh, with parts of it still around today. I’m not sure what flowers they are but I’m pretty sure that they are a kind of poppy.
In another part of Edinburgh, yellow daisies are blossoming in the Meadows, Edinburgh’s Hyde Park. They turn golden when the sunshine baths them.
These are the moments of reawakening and recreation after passing through the quiet and dark winter!’
Win Sim Tan, Malaysia
‘Early one morning in February, while on my way to a class at the King’s Buildings, I noticed a plethora of colours, in white, yellow, and purple, on the open grassland at the Meadows. Countless snowdrops and crocus flowers put up a stunning display of blooms. The warm light breeze and bright sunlight prompted me to stay a little longer. And I thought to myself, “spring is near. We should be getting lovely weather very soon!” Alas, Storm Ciara struck several days later, bringing furious winds and the first “proper” snow of the year to Edinburgh. What a roller-coaster ride!’
Takehito Kawakami, Japan
‘After a long period of dark and cold winter days, the warmth has finally come back. This picture was taken as I was walking out of my accommodation in the Downing College, University of Cambridge. For the first time in months, I saw some flowers blooming and it was not just one or two flowers, but hundreds of gorgeous and beautiful flowers starting to form a flower garden! This scene gave me a special warmth in my heart.’
Thank you to all of our scholars who submitted pictures and stories to this theme.
To submit your own pictures and stories to the latest themes, please check your most recent Scholargram for submission details.
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