50+ Lifestyles

February – A Mishmash of Symbols

By Eloise Graham

What do ashes, axes, beads, cherries, chocolates, pancakes, pennies, pigskins, rodents and roses have in common? All are symbols of special days or celebrations in the month of February. Let’s take them in chronological order.

February 2, the rodent. Groundhog’s day is celebrated every February 2nd. Groundhogs (Marmota monax) are rodents. We wait for Punxsutawney Phil and his meteorologist marmot cousins to tell us if spring will arrive at its usual time of mid-March or will it be six weeks after February 2nd?

February 7, the pigskin. Super bowl Sunday is the BIG GAME in the NFL. This year is the 50th Anniversary of this match-up. At the time of this writing, the final two contenders had not yet been decided. However, I predict that the winner of this match will either be a red bird, a black cat, a wild horse or a patriotic person.

February 9, pancakes and beads. Pancake suppers are a big part of Shrove Tuesday. Pancakes contain fat, butter and eggs – all of which were at one time forbidden during lent. People would indulge in the many things that were not allowed beginning the next day. Beads are one of the many symbols of Mardi Gras, again, a time of indulgence prior to the repentance of sins during the time of Lent.

February 10, ashes. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the six- week preparation for Easter. Catholics go to mass Wednesday morning and have the outward symbol of ashes, in the shape of a cross, put on their forehead. This is to show repentance of sins and of humility.

February 12, pennies. This day is not mentioned much any more, but when I was growing up, and probably you, too, this was known as Lincoln’s birthday. Lincoln’s face and silhouette were everywhere. It still is on the penny.

February 14, chocolates and roses. Valentine’s Day is the day to give sweets to your sweetheart. In 2015, over $18 BILLION dollars were pumped into the economy. Candy was the #1 seller, followed by flowers, then eating out, then jewelry.

February 15, axe and cherries. Monday, February 15 is the federal observance of Washington’s Birthday (President’s Day). In 1879, an Act of Congress named February 22 a national holiday in honor of George Washington. It was his birthday. However, in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved this observance to the third Monday of the month. Ironically, that date occurs sometime between February 15 and 21, so it never falls on his actual birthday. Technically, the day is “Washington’s Birthday,” but since it never falls on the correct date, most of us call the holiday “President’s Day.” So for those of us that grew up celebrating February 22 as his birthday, we also know the myth of the axe and the cherry tree.

No lie!

Whatever the symbol and however you celebrate, enjoy February.