February comes from the "veins", the underground waters that gush during its duration from the many rains.
Originally, February was the twelfth and last month of the Roman calendar. January and February did not exist in the past.
The first month of the year was March and the last was December. After December, however, there were excess harsh winter days and because they were not productive for human life, they were forced to create January and February in order to classify the excess days into these months.
Later in 44 BC, Julius Caesar sought the help of the Greek astronomer Sosigenes in order to change the Roman calendar.
Thus, Sosigenes changed the Roman calendar based on the calculations of the father of astronomy Hipparchus, who a century earlier had already determined that the solar or tropical year has a duration equal to 365,242 days.
He then established a calendar where years had 365 days, with an extra day added every fourth year.
Since then, this day, because it was counted twice, is still called (bis eksta). And since it has 28 days in normal conditions and 29 in leap years, people often wonder about the misconception regarding leap years, but without substance, because they simply misunderstand the etymology of the word (bis) which means (twice) and has no relation to (dys) which has the meaning of misery or difficulty.
Therefore, a leap year with February having 29 days should not fill us with fears and misgivings about the outcome of events that occur during it, but should be treated as random events that can occur in any period of time.
This year the month has 28 days.
In Greece, the month of February has many names.
The 1st of the month gave him the name "Saint Tryphon" since his memory is celebrated every year on this day.
Other names related to its short duration are: Mikros, Koutsos, Filiaris, Gouzoukis, Kountouron (in the Pontic dialect) and as it is the second month of the year we call it Koutsoflevaro.
It is a month that heralds spring with the beautiful blooming almond trees, hyacinths, and white lilies as they perfume the courtyards of houses located in the countryside and plains.
And because it is a month when nature begins to slowly awaken, we know the well-known proverb that reminds us:
"Even if February bleeds, it will still smell like summer."
Also coming is Carnival, the main characteristic of these holidays which are intertwined with disguise (masquerades, streamers, confetti, festivities and bringing customs and traditions to life in every part of Greece.
These customs have many implications for strengthening family ties, as they are identified with the Great Lent, which prepares people mentally and physically for the period of Easter and Resurrection.
It is a month of celebration, joy, and carefreeness for young and old, as its days quickly end, handing over the baton to March, the month that awaits it, impatiently waiting to give its own beautiful days!
photo MabelAmber, https://pixabay.com
