Google is celebrating the first official day of spring with a homepage doodle designed by Finnish fashion house Marimekko.
March 20 marks the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere with the arrival of spring, while those in the Southern Hemisphere welcome fall. As a result, Marimekko has fashioned spring- and fall-inspired doodles (left).
"We are thrilled about this creative collaboration that got started when Google Vice President Marissa Mayer visited our textile printing factory in Helsinki," Mika Ihamuotila, president and CEO of Marimekko, said in a statement. "Marimekko design is all about understanding the beauty of life just as we encounter it every day – celebrating everyday moments and the special characteristics and nuances of the different seasons. Thus, with the First Day of Spring and Fall doodles, we want to inspire people to free their own creativity and have fun with it – every day and each season."
Marimekko said the doodles incorporate "iconic Marimekko printed textiles" from eight designers: Maija Isola, Kristina Isola, Erja Hirvi, Maija Louekari, Aino-Maija Metsola, Teresa Moorhouse, Jenni Tuominen, and Katsuji Wakisaka.
As the LA Times pointed out, the vernal equinox marks one of two days during the year when the days and nights are of equal length. As a result, some people believe the day holds special powers that allow for things like egg balancing and broom standing.
However, astronomers are not convinced the equinoxes produce physical effects on Earth-bound objects. "So there's no reason - if you practice - that you shouldn't be able to balance eggs and brooms just as well on July 20 as on March 20," the Times said.
For more on Google's doodles, see the slideshow below. Last week, the company honored origami legend Akira Yoshizawa. One of the company's more popular doodles last year was a playable image in honor of musician Les Paul, which eventually got its own standalone site. The company has also honored Gumby creator Art Clokey, Muppets creator Jim Henson, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, and Intel co-founder Robert Noyce.
In 2011, it was revealed that Google obtained a patent for its popular homepage doodles, covering "systems and methods for enticing users to access a Web site."