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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 The observance of Groundhog Day in the United States first occurred in German communities in Pennsylvania, according to known records. The earliest mention of Groundhog Day is an entry on February 2, 1840, in the diary of James L. Morris of Morgantown, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, according to the book on the subject by Don Yoder. This was a 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. 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 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 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 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. 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, and to be a sign that will be contradicted –and you yourself a sword will pierce– so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2: 27-32 “If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come winter, have another flight. If Candlemas bring clouds and rain, Go winter, and come not again.” Groundhog Day or Candlemas? On February 2 nd a quaint tradition unfolds, known well to schoolchildren and adults alike. The fate of Spring hangs in the balance as a burrowing animal looks for its shadow. 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 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. 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. Most of us know the tradition: on February 2, our old friend the groundhog will emerge from hibernation, come out of his den, and predict whether winter will deliver more cold weather this year. If the groundhog sees his shadow, the story goes, cold weather will persist another few weeks. If not, warm weather is around the corner. If you like the folklore of holidays, you may be interested to It turns out that the modern Groundhog Day tradition is a tale of adaptation, with its origin in a centuries-old Christian holiday. Candlemas, the Groundhog Day forerunner. Groundhog Day is rooted in the historical Christian tradition of Candlemas, about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Conventionally, this was 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 The groundhog is known as Punxsutawney Phil, because the town where the Groundhog Day tradition originated is called Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A big celebration is still held in the town to this Groundhog Day Crossword. Have a little fun on Groundhog Day with this engaging crossword puzzle! Every year on February 2nd, people across the United States and Canada celebrate this quirky holiday, which is all about predicting the weather for the rest of winter. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means there will be six more weeks of This is how the shadow came to be associated with the length of winter. 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.
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