candlemas groundhog day groundhog day flags

Groundhog Day (Pennsylvania German: Grund'sau dåk, was an expansion of a simpler tradition that if the weather was sunny and clear on Candlemas Day, Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2nd and dictates that if a groundhog emerges from hibernation to see its shadow, and retreats, six more weeks of winter are ahead. This tradition may have European roots and coincides with the Christian holiday of Candlemas, which was about the purification of the Virgin Mary, but also used to indicate Candlemas and the Grundsau Candlemas on 2 February, the 40th day following Christmas, is a Roman Catholic and Protestant observance that celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. Also known as the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (Darstellung des Herrn in German), or the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin (Mariä Reinigung or Groundhog day originally came from an old tradition called Candlemas Day that started in the United States in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The saying “Half your wood and half your hay, You should have on Candlemas Day” became a common adage, and was one that was clumsily paraphrased by Henry David Thoreau in his journal entry on February 1, 1857, when Thoreau noted: A laborer on the railroad tells me it is Candlemas Day (February 2d) to-morrow and the winter half out. ‘half Groundhog Day and Candlemas Lore. If Candlemas [February 2] be mild and gay, Go saddle your horses and buy them hay; But if Candlemas be stormy and black, It carries the winter away on its back. Just half your wood and half your hay, Should be remaining on Candlemas Day. On Candlemas Day, The good goose begins to lay. The History of Groundhog Day. The Christian religious holiday of Candlemas Day has become most commonly associated with the current celebration, but it’s roots are older than that. The celebration started in Christianity as the day, (February 2nd), when Christians would take their candles to the church to have them blessed. See how the groundhog became a symbol for predicting seasonal changes in America, rooted in German folklore with a badger — which in turn lead to Groundhog Day. Ever notice that Groundhog day and Candlemas fall on the same day? It’s no coincidence: the weather folklore day has a Catholic origin. Every year on February 2nd, the world awaits the legendary Punxsutawney Phil. If the groundhog sees his shadow, it is taken to mean six more weeks of winter; if he does not, spring will come early. A sunny day means seeing more shadows. Smit / shutterstock The Scottish, the English, and the Germans all have similar rhymes about the weather on Candlemas, but it is the Germans we have to thank for Groundhog’s Day. The very concept of Groundhog Day is a fusion of ancient legends, including the Delaware Nation’s great-groundhog Wojak and Christian traditions of Candlemas that trace back to the fourth century. Celebrating Punxsutawney Phil emerging from the ground is also about Americans seeing or not seeing the shadow of the oldest known indigenous tribe Aside from the Candlemas origins of Groundhog Day, some other days are considered predictors of the weather to come. In the United Kingdom , July 15 is known as Saint Swithun's day. At one time it was believed if it rained on that day, it would rain for the next 40 days and nights. See how the groundhog became a symbol for predicting seasonal changes in America, rooted in German folklore with a badger — which in turn lead to Groundhog Day. On Candlemas Day, Throw candles away. Candlemas was also a day to eat beans, probably a modification of the pagan custom. The Romans believed beans were sacred to the dead and invoked their presence. The Puritans, of course, disdained Candlemas Day, which they correctly viewed as a pagan tradition. Weather Forecasts Candlemas and Groundhog Day . This emphasis on light, as well as the timing of the feast, falling as it does in the last weeks of winter, led to another, secular holiday celebrated in the United States on the same date: Groundhog Day. The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The annual ritual has roots in pre-Christian traditions and was brought to the U.S. by How can I celebrate 2025 Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney? While there are a handful of local celebrations of the holiday, the most well-known Groundhog Day event takes place on Feb. 2 in Punxsutawney. The Groundhog Day celebration is organized by the “ Inner Circle ” of the town’s “Groundhog Club.” These tuxedoed men in top hats conduct The Historical Link Between Groundhog’s Day & Candlemas. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, Ever notice that Groundhog day and Candlemas fall on the same day? It’s no coincidence: the weather folklore day has a Catholic origin. Every year on February 2nd, the world awaits the legendary Punxsutawney Phil. If the groundhog sees his shadow, it is taken to mean six more weeks of winter; if he does not, spring will come early.

candlemas groundhog day groundhog day flags
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