März

März is the German name for the third month of the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days and typically marks the transition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere, while in the Southern Hemisphere it corresponds to autumn.

Etymology and origins: The name Mär z derives from the Latin Martius, the Roman month named after Mars, the god of war. The modern German form Mär z developed through historical stages of the language, from Latin Martius to Old High German and Middle High German, with the current umlaut in the spelling.

Calendar and seasonal context: März contains 31 days. The vernal equinox, when day and night are roughly equal, usually falls on March 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, signaling the start of astronomical spring. In heraldry, literature, and cultural usage, March is often associated with the end of winter and the approach of warmer weather, though weather conditions can vary widely from year to year.

Cultural and linguistic notes: In German-speaking regions, März is used in everyday date notation and in expressions referring to early spring. The month has influenced the naming of related terms in German, such as the historical beer style Märzen, which is etymologically linked to the month’s name and to traditional brewing practices in March.