Today with the help of Wikipedia I’m presenting a quick, chronological survey of six February holidays. As usual, I hope you learn something new!

Lunar New Year

Generally celebrated in East and Southeast Asian countries, Lunar New Year is the beginning of the year based on lunar or lunisolar calendars. In 2022 this took place on February 1st. Chinese New Year was first celebrated in either the Warring States period (475 BC – 221 AD) or the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The earliest references to Korean New Year are found in 7th century Chinese historical works and 13th century Korean records.

Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day

Also on February 1st was Imbolc, one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals (set halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox). It likely has ancient roots and a celebration of the goddess Brigid became the Christian feast day of Saint Brigid. Imbolc is associated with lambing season, preparing for sowing, ritual washings, and spring cleaning. It is mentioned in early Irish manuscripts. These days it is celebrated in some parts of Ireland and England with parades and festivals and is also (in one form or another) celebrated by Neopagans and Wiccans. Next year it will become an annual public holiday in the Republic of Ireland.

Candlemas

I’m a little embarassed to say that I didn’t know that February 2nd is the official end to the Christmas-Epiphany season, with the celebration of Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Feast of the Holy Encounter. Candlemas commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple at forty days old (Luke 2:22-40). The Feast of the Presentation has been celebrated since the 4th century, which we know from various sermons of the period.

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is a North American tradition brought from Germany by the Pennsylvania Dutch. The idea is that when a groundhog comes out of his den on February 2nd if he sees his shadow he will retreat and we are in for six more weeks of winter. In Germany Candlemas was observed as “Badger Day” (Dachstag) wherein a badger (or hedgehog?) played the role now assumed by the groundhog.

Valentine’s Day

See my post from last year!

President’s Day

Presidents’ Day, an American holiday honouring past presidents, takes place the third Monday in February to have it close to George Washington’s birthday: February 22, 1732. (Interestingly, because the British Empire was still using the Julian Calendar at that time his date of birth was originally considered February 11, 1731!) A federal holiday honouring Washington was first declared in 1879. It moved to its current date in 1971.

So do you have a favourite holiday?