Around this time of year, I think many people are curious about the history of Groundhog Day. Where the heck did it come from? Why do we rest our hope for Spring on some furry little creature?
Groundhog Day is an American holiday that originates from European folklore. It is celebrated on February 2, six weeks after Winter Solstice and six weeks before Spring Equinox. It is therefore quite logically closely associated with winter’s release and the coming of warm weather.
Groundhog Day facts:
- it was originally the last day of the European Candlemas, or the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, or the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.
What do all of these religious names for February 2 have to do with groundhogs and spring?
- Well, with Virgin Mary’s purification and the Christ child’s introduction to the Temple his life as the future savior of mankind was really about to begin. Thus these events shed a small light in the world of darkness.
- Therefore, on this day beginning in the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church would bless candles that people would bring home and put in their windows to shine a light in the deep of winter.
Considering that this date was also right between the shortest day of the year and the beginning of spring, it’s not hard to see how the darkness versus light theme was linked to winter versus spring.
Other Groundhog Day facts:
- Folklore decreed that if the sun shone on Candlemas Day then winter would still be harsh, but if there were cloudy skies spring would only be six weeks away.
- Since the Vernal Equinox is only six weeks away from Candlemas Day, they were certainly right about spring—at least from an astrological standpoint.
Exactly where the groundhog comes into the picture is uncertain. The first American reference to Groundhog Day, according to Wikipedia, was made Feb. 4, 1841 in Morgantown, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morris’ diary: “Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.”
Groundhog Day in the 21st century is a tradition closely associated with Pennsylvania and the German settlers there, and also with New York. Indeed some of the most famous weather predictors come from Pennsylvania and New York, groundhogs like Punxsutawney Phil, Malverne Mel, and Staten Island Chuck are among the famous four-legged weather-watchers.
Groundhog Day traditions are a celebrated occasion; tons of people shuffle in to New York and especially Pennsylvania to see if the furry creatures see their shadows. Groundhogs have made quite a name for themselves these days and the media circle around to await the big debut.
So do these iconic rodents tend to predict winter or spring? The predictions since 1887 have favored spring greatly over winter, so here’s hoping that this year will follow suit. On that note, let’s all keep our fingers crossed.
Spread the hope – encourage Phil, Maverne and Chuck by sending a note to friends to tell them to keep their fingers crossed for spring! Send someone a Groundhog Day Groundhog Day eCard or regular Groundhog Day card. Let ‘em know that spring is coming—or that winter may last a little while longer, or just give your own prediction of what the groundhogs around the country will predict this year!
For more information and fun facts about groundhogs and Groundhog Day, check out these sites: Groundhog .org – the Official Site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, VisitPA.com Groundhog Day, and Groundhog Day from InfoPlease.com.
Tags: Groundhog Day, groundhog day card, groundhog day facts, groundhog day history, groundhog day traditions, history of groundhog day
