February's Frosty Reception Trivia Quiz

Answer: True

In ancient Roman times, the calendar system was quite different from what we use today. The Roman calendar originally had ten months, with the year beginning in March and ending in December. The winter had no months associated with it, sort of like a depressing limbo period. However, around 713 BCE, the Roman king Numa Pompilius added two more months, January and February, to align the calendar more closely with the lunar year. It was a period of time to get through before the return of the spring and the rebirth of the world.

Numa Pompilius was a legendary figure in Roman mythology and tradition, believed to be the second king of Rome, succeeding Romulus the founder. According to legend, Numa Pompilius ruled Rome from approximately 715 BCE to 673 BCE. He is credited with establishing many of the religious and legal institutions that formed the foundation of Roman society, like the calendar, the Vestal Virgins, several cults, and the office of pontifex maximus. Well, at least he got one thing to stick around.

Answer: Purification

The name "Februa" is thought to derive from the Latin word "februum" which means "to purify" or "to cleanse". It is closely related to the festival of Februa which was celebrated around that time, every year.

The festival of Februa was a Roman purification ritual that involved cleansing and purifying both the city and its inhabitants. It was a time for spiritual renewal and the casting off of old burdens to prepare for the coming spring. The festival itself likely had roots in much older Roman agricultural and fertility rites aimed at cleansing the land and ensuring fertility in the fields for the upcoming growing season.

Answer: True

Prior to the calendar reforms implemented by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, February had 28 days. The Roman calendar at that time was based on a lunar cycle, with the other months ranging from 29 to 31 days to align with the phases of the moon. February was originally the last month of the Roman calendar, and its 28 days were seen as an adjustment to balance out the shorter lunar cycle.

This 28-day month caused some issues with keeping the calendar in sync with the solar year, which was measured to be approximately 365.25 days. As a result, the Roman calendar would gradually fall out of sync with the seasons over time. A leap day was used occasionally, but not regularly, which caused further asynchronicity.

When the calendar would be too much out of sync, February was shortened to 23 or 24 days and a leap month, called Intercalaris (or Mercedonius) was added to lengthen the year. The irregular and arbitrary nature of adding Intercalaris led to confusion and manipulation by Roman officials for political or personal reasons.

Answer: Ululu (Babylonian)

In the Babylonian calendar, the month of February lined up, at least in part, with the month of Adar. This calendar is still used today as the Jewish traditional calendar, and the two bear many similarities.

February roughly corresponded to the Egyptian month of Phamenoth, which typically fell between late February and late March. In the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, February corresponds, in a large part, to the first month of the lunar year, which is usually called 正月 (Zhengyue) or "first month". Gamelion was an Athenian (Attic) month that also corresponded to late January to mid-February.

Answer: Sweden

The existence of February 30, 1712, in Sweden is an interesting historical anomaly resulting from the country's adoption of the Gregorian calendar. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar, which had been in use since the time of Julius Caesar. The Gregorian calendar aimed to better align the calendar year with the solar year, correcting inaccuracies in the Julian calendar that had led to a discrepancy between the calendar and the seasons.

By the early 18th century, Sweden recognized the need to reform its calendar and align it with the Gregorian calendar used by its neighbors. In 1700, Sweden decided to make the switch to the Gregorian calendar, but the transition was not straightforward. To align the Swedish calendar with the Gregorian calendar, an adjustment was needed to correct the accumulated discrepancy, they decided to forego all leap days from 1700 to 1740 and thus gradually move their calendar.

However, during the Great Northern War, the Swedes forgot to omit the leap day in 1704 and in 1708. In order to restore the Julian calendar, the calendar was one day behind still in 1712 so, the King of Sweden added a February 30, a double leap day, so that the Julian calendar was realigned. The Gregorian calendar was officially adopted in 1753.

Answer: Thursday

When February takes up four rows on the calendar, it means that the month begins on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday. This occurs in non-leap years when February has 28 days. This means that the first day of the year, January 1, needs to occur on a Thursday.

A few examples of this are the years 2009, 2015, 2026, 2037, 2043, and 2054. This quiz was written in March of 2024, so at the time of writing it, there were still two years left to go.

Answer: Cabbage and mud

In ancient times, before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, the Anglo-Saxons in England used a different calendar system. In their calendar, February was known as "Solmonath," which means "mud month" or "month of mud," reflecting the muddy conditions of the season. However, there is also evidence to suggest that February was alternatively referred to as "Kale-monath," which translates to "cabbage month" or "month of cabbage."

The name "Kale-monath" likely derives from the fact that cabbage, along with other winter vegetables like kale, was harvested during this time of year. Cabbage was an important staple food in Anglo-Saxon diet, and its harvest was significant for sustenance during the winter months.

Answer: True

Hornung, also known as Horning, was a month in the ancient Germanic and Anglo-Saxon calendars. It corresponded to the modern month of February in the Gregorian calendar. Hornung was considered a time of transition from winter to spring in the agricultural calendar. The name "Hornung" is believed to derive from the Germanic word "horna" which means "to freeze". This reflects the lingering cold temperatures and frosty conditions of late winter that existed in the Holy Roman Empire.

During Hornung, people in ancient Germanic and Anglo-Saxon societies would have been engaged in preparations for the upcoming spring season. This might include repairing tools and equipment, tending to livestock, and making plans for planting crops once the weather warmed. In terms of cultural and religious practices, Hornung was also a time of purification and purification rituals. It was believed that cleansing rituals performed during this month could ward off evil spirits and ensure a successful transition into the new season.

Answer: Pisces

Those born in the first part of February fall under the sign of Aquarius. Aquarius is an air sign ruled by the planet Uranus. People born under this sign are often characterized as independent, innovative, and humanitarian. They are known for their originality, intellectual curiosity, and progressive thinking. Aquarians are often drawn to social causes and have a strong desire to make the world a better place.

Those born later in February, particularly from the 19th onward, are considered Pisces. Pisces is a water sign ruled by the planets Jupiter and Neptune. Individuals born under this sign are often described as compassionate, intuitive, and artistic. They are deeply empathetic and sensitive, with a strong connection to their emotions and the emotions of others. Pisceans are often creative and imaginative, with a natural talent for artistic expression.

Answer: The midway point between the solstice and the equinox

Imbolc, also known as Brigid's Day, is an ancient Gaelic festival celebrated in early February, typically on February 1st or 2nd. It marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and is associated with the beginning of spring and the awakening of the earth.

The word "Imbolc" is derived from the Old Irish word "Imbolg" which means "in the belly". This refers to the pregnancy of ewes and the impending arrival of spring lambs. The festival is closely linked to the goddess Brigid, who was revered by the ancient Celts as a deity of fertility, healing, poetry, and craftsmanship.

Candles play a central role in Imbolc celebrations, symbolizing the return of the light and the increasing strength of the sun. Lighting candles in windows or around the home is a common practice to welcome the lengthening days and to honor Brigid as the goddess of fire. This, not-coincidentally, coincides with the Christian holiday of Candlemas.