Welcome February, the shortest month of the year. The five things you absolutely need to know

February is the shortest month of the year, with only 28 or 29 days. The word “February” comes from the Latin word “Februarius,” which was the month dedicated to Febbra, the Roman god of purification. February has 28 days in normal leap years, but has 29 days every 4 years, during a leap year.

It is the second month of the year according to the Gregorian calendar and is the only month with 28 days (29 in a leap year). the Romanswho originally considered winter as a period without months, recognized it starting from Numa Pompilius which he added with January, as the last month of the year.

were intended for Goddess Febres, goddess of fever and healing from malaria, celebrated it on the 14th. The Catholic Church recalled this tradition by consecrating the day at the beginning Saint Febronia and then in Valentine’s Day is the protector of lovers.

February curiosity

For the Romans, it was a month dedicated to ritual purification, symbolizing the state of nature in the act of awakening from its winter slumber. In fact, the first flowers begin to bloom in this month Lilies, chamomiles and mimosas. For Christians, in addition to the famous Valentine’s Day, there is a folk holiday Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (2 February) which commemorates the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and to which peasant tradition ascribed importance, from a meteorological point of view, in the transition from winter to spring.

main events

You see the February sky Ursa Major Ursa Majorwhich appears upside down from the Italian perspective.

the February 14th is Valentine’s Day, the day of lovers. This day is celebrated all over the world as a day to celebrate the love and affection between partners, friends and family. the Mardi Gras, or Shrove TuesdayIt is a popular festival that takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. This holiday is very popular in many parts of the world, especially France and the United States.

February is also the month of the Winter Olympics, which occurs every 4 years. Athletes from all over the world who compete in various winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice hockey, participate in these games.

Culinary specialties

February is the month of culinary festivities. carnival: during carnival, In many parts of the world, foods such as frittelle, castagnole, and tortelli are served. Often fried and sweet, these foods are perfect for celebrating this happy occasion.

Saint Valentine: On Valentine’s Day, many couples choose to celebrate in the evening with a candlelit dinner. The occasion is famous for dishes such as tenderloin with green peppers or lobster.

Shrove Tuesday: Fatty and flavorful dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, or crab chowders are eaten on Shrove Tuesday in many parts of the world. These foods are a way to celebrate and prepare for the fast.

pancake day: Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day in the United Kingdom and Ireland. On this day, different types of pancakes are served, both sweet and savory.

Panettone Christmas Tradition

It is customary in the Milanese region to eat on a Thursday morning February 3, Feast of San Biagio, Panettone last Christmasreserved specially for this occasion.

This tradition comes from a mythical episode in which a woman and a greedy monk are seen as the heroes.

Shortly before Christmas, a woman brought the friar Panettone to bless him, but as he was occupied with other things, the friar put it aside. In time, greed took the upper hand and the monk began to eat it a little at a time, until on the morning of February 3 the woman returned to pick up the panettone.

The religious man took the woman to the place where the sweets were, under the pretext of taking the time to study a good excuse. But with great amazement he discovered that the panettone had reappeared and was also twice as large as its predecessor.

This apparition has been attributed to San Biagio. For this reason, breakfast is prepared on the morning of February 3 with the last Christmas panettone, as well as to keep the throat from ailments.

Proverbs

Very cold in January, bad weather in February.
Wet February, good booze.
February, February, Cortino and Liar.
February is February, short and damned.
Who wants to plant a good lawn in February.
Snowy February, cheerful summer.
February, sun in every shade.
February snow like carnival lard.
Who wants to supply Granago, plant it in February.
If the trails walk in February, he fills all the pebbles with wine and oil.
If February had all the days in January, the wine would be frozen in barrels.
Curt’s mismanagement, and his frenetic attention span are worst of all.
January and February wear the abaya.
If February isn’t hectic, March camps.
If February doesn’t hit, March thinks badly.
January and February, fill or empty your granary.
February grass dry all over.
February waters fill the barn.