Regions near the equator experience fairly constant temperatures throughout the year, with balmy winters barely discernible from warm summers. The timing and characteristics of the seasons depend upon the location on Earth.

The Indian festival of Diwali, for example, which takes place between October and November, celebrates the triumph of righteousness, and light over darkness. 'In a similar way to the Autumnal theme, Winter festivals celebrate the return of the light during a time of deepest physical darkness,' said De Rossi.

Animals find ways to warm themselves and may have changed their appearance to adapt. Some areas may experience snow or ice, while others see only cold rain. 'Thanksgiving in the United States is a historical commemoration but it has a spiritual dimension strongly associated with homecoming and giving praise for what has been bestowed upon us,' Cristina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London, told Live Science. Various cultures have celebrated bountiful harvests with annual festivals. Animals might prepare themselves for the upcoming cold weather, storing food or traveling to warmer regions. In the autumn, or fall, temperatures cool again. Related: Wildfires: Causes, costs & containment Autumn (Fall)

Four seasons autumn