In the early Ancient Rome they didn't even have a name for winter months...the period from late December to February was just referred to as "winter"...that kind of reflects my way of seeing things too. February was the last month added to their calendar and for a long time it was the last month of the year. Romans were not sticklers for accurate calendars, months got shorter and longer to fit political needs...and sometimes the months were so unsynced with seasons that they had to add an "intercalaris", an intercalary month, which usually came after February.
The name "February" also comes from the Roman festival "Februa" which was a purification ritual before spring. This tradition somehow survived up until now in the form of Candlemas (Chandeleur in French) and Groundhog Day. It kind of proves my point that February is super boring and the Ancients had to come up with something to entertain themselves. Yay, we're halfway through winter...let's celebrate...
Talking of Candlemas, or Chandeleur...in France and part of Belgium, it means pancake day (pancakes, ok, maybe February is not so lame after all...). The tradition is that if you flip a "crêpe" while holding a coin in the other hand, you'll have money all year. You're also supposed to leave one of the pancakes on top of a kitchen cabinet all year but, for some reasons, most people skip that part.
Groundhog Day, Columbia Pictures |
It's a pretty cool movie...in which the main character keeps re-living the same day over and over again. Which is pretty much how I feel about February really...
9 comments:
Interesting about the "history" of February. I am also impatiently waiting for every new minute of daylight and the days are getting visibly longer now, at least where I live.
I have nothing against any season or month but I get what you mean, especially if you live in West or North Europe, which I luckily don't (anymore) :).
Loved that movie, very weird but fun and frustrating at the same time.
Very interesting information about February! For me February is a month of waiting... the spring!
For me it is the weather that determines how I like the month. I dislike any month where it rains too much, and right now February is not looking good at all. Rain and snow mixed – that's the worst.
Seen Groundhog Day a few times actually. It is funny.
February is like Tuesdays. Weekend fun is over, Monday was still a haze, and now it is Tuesday, everything sucks, and still nearly the full workweek to go..
Agree with Heyme :)
For me February is the actual month on winter since the first two are about holidays and getting over holidays :)) And we also have snow which is a plus ;)
I don't really care about seasons, but we made delicious crepes on Saturday already :D
And I totally loved that movie! Such a fun one :D
Hmmm so i'll have to flip a crepe while holding a coin in the other hand. Will definitely do. :D
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