Celebrate the Vernal Equinox by Balancing an Egg

Don't let the Vernal equinox pass you by without standing an egg on it's end. That's right! On the Vernal and Autumnal equinoxes, regular, raw eggs will stand on their ends. This oddity is fun, as well as entertaining, but does take a little patience.

Of course I should disclose the fact that a raw egg will also balance on it's end any other day of the year as well, but it's the Vernal and Autumnal equinoxes that have become popular days for experimenting with this phenomenon.

Assumptions have been made that on the equinoxes there are special gravitational forces at play that don't exist any other day of the year. Some speculate this is because the earth's axis just happens to be pointing perpendicularly directly towards the sun. The main result of this event is the day and night each lasting about 12 hours.

According to several websites, however, there is no special gravitational force which takes place during either the Vernal or Autumnal equinoxes. Yet, without fail, on the Vernal equinox, a story will often appear either on the news or in some other source, claiming this special gravity to be a fact. Even some school children spend a portion of the equinox balancing raw eggs.

Regardless of the fact that eggs can be balanced on their ends any day of the year, there is still nothing wrong with choosing to balance them on an equinox, especially the Vernal (Spring) equinox. Eggs have long been considered symbols of life and fertility and have been used in Spring festivals with ancient Egyptians, Persians and Romans.

After a long, serious Winter, everyone could use a little levity, and trying to make an egg stand on it's end fits the bill perfectly. Here are a few steps you can take to enjoy egg balancing success at your next Vernal Equinox party, or any time of the year.

Egg Balancing Step #1: Use Raw Eggs

There is no need to hard boil your eggs prior to balancing, however, make sure you have good 10-12 eggs to try with. Some eggs will have a natural tendency to balance and some will just cause you nothing but frustration.

Egg Balancing Step #2: Start With the Fat End

While it is possible to balance an egg on it's skinny end, the fat end will definitely be easier for beginning egg balancers. Additionally, some eggs will have natural bumps and other deformities on the ends that may actually act as stabilizers for your balanced egg. Use these little bumps to your advantage.

Egg Balancing Step #3: Balance on a Smooth, Level Surface

The kitchen counter makes a great surface for egg balancing. Make sure it is clean and free from any large toast crumbs or other debris.

Egg Balancing Step #4: A Steady Hand and a Dose of Patience

When you balance the egg, you will need to hold it in position for a second or two to allow the viscous insides to settle down. While holding the egg, slowly begin to release your grip so that you can feel if the egg begins to fall to one side or the other. Make small adjustments while still lightly holding the egg until it seems to be holding steady. Slowly let go of your egg, and it should be standing.

Egg Balancing Step #5: Go For the Record

As far as I can tell, the world record for the number of eggs balancing simultaneously is 1,290. Care to break the record and go for 1,291? Check with Guinness World's Records before clearing out your grocery store's egg section in order to take a shot at this stunt.

Egg Balancing Step #6: No Cheating! But if You Must...

No one in the egg balancing community will ever take you seriously if you cheat, but if you are desperate to get your egg standing you can put a pinch of salt on the counter top and stand your egg on the salt. The salt will act as a stabilizing force and help your egg to stand.