History of February

posted in: Months of the Year | 0

February is the shortest month of the year with 28 days, except when we have leap year with 29 days.

Amethyst is the birthstone for February

The Roman month Februarius was named after the Latin term februum. The word februum means purification.

The Romans originally considered winter a monthless period and for this reason January and February were the last two months added tot he Roman calendar.

February remained the last month of the calendar year, until the time of decemvirs, which was a ten man committee established by the Roman republic.  Around 450BC, February was moved from the last to the second month.

Iris

With the reforms of the new Julian Calendar, leap years began to occur every four years, adding the extra day to February.

Old English terms for February include Solmonath, which means mud month, and Kale-monath, which means cabbage. Charlemagne’s is said to refer to the month as Hornung, which seems to mean blowing a horn.

The Finnish refer to February as the month of the pearl, due to snow melting on tree branches, forming droplets, only to freeze again. The refrozen ice resembles pearls of ice.

Violet

Those born before February 19th are an Aquarius and those born on February 20 and afterwards are a Pisces.

The birth flower for February is the violet and Iris.

The February birthstone is the amethyst, which symbolizes piety, humility, spiritual wisdom and sincerity.

Valentine’s Day is the most popular holiday of the month.

February is also Black History Month and has President’s Day. The Super Bowl and Chinese New Year usually appear at the very end of January or beginning of February.

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