February is a special month with
many traditions and fables
Starting with February 2nd, there is the ancient
Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would
bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles
represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans
expanded on the concept, by selecting an animal as a means
of predicting weather. Thus it is called Groundhog day.
Valentine’s Day, as the story goes, began
with a priest who’s name was St Valentine. It is
said that he was put in prison for conducting
marriages for soldiers which was forbidden.
He fell in love with the jailor’s daughter and the
night before his execution, he sent her a card of
love and signed his name –
“From your Valentine”
Whatever story is true, this day has been recognized as a
special day, celebrating with red roses, chocolates and
confectionary sweets.
The first commercial valentines in America were
printed in the mid-1800s…Because it was thought that
the avian mating season begins in mid-February, birds
along with hearts became a symbol of the day.
Donna's Poetry Blog 