Groundhog Day
began in America around 1887.
It is
theorized that Groundhog Day has its connections to the Ancient Celtic
celebration of Candlemas (a feast
that would happen every year on February 2nd). The relation to these
to is that on Candlemas, if it were sunny enough to cast a shadow that day,
then winter wasn’t over. But, if it were a cloudy day without any shadows, then
that meant spring had begun that very day. There’s an old British saying that
best describes the event that took place and the purpose of Candlemas: “If Candlemas Day be bright and clear, there
will be two winters in a year.” This is the first and the oldest document
version of Groundhog Day that could possibly have its ties to the Groundhog Day
we celebrate today.
In the 1800’s, German Settlers (in
Pennsylvania) brought their customs and traditions to the Unites States of
America. In particular, one of these many traditions is believed to have been
the practice of predicting the end of the wintery season and the coming of the
spring season. They predicted this based on the hibernation routines of the
bears and the badgers. This is an origin of where Groundhog Day began. Eventfully,
Groundhog hunting became a popular event many participated in and somehow over
the years, the groundhogs replaced the bears and badgers with the prediction of
the end of winter and beginning of spring.
To be honest I think this is ridiculous! I think it is the most unnecessary holiday out there! Hahaha
ReplyDeleteDon't hate on the hogs of the earth (aka groundhogs)
DeleteThank you Karissa, I was once in Wiarton, home of Wiarton Willie for Groundhog day!
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ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how Canadian culture still carries a lot of aspects of the British culture even today. Is this celebrated more in Britain? As in, do they make a bigger deal out of it than people in Canada? I posted the something in my last comment but noticed I repeated a word twice so I just deleted it lolol
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Jade. I think this is more a novelty holiday than anything. We cannot actually let a shadow tell us when winter is ending.
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