Hen Blackbird or Groundhog? by sandra46
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Description
I don't know why there is a difference between Northern Italy, and especially Lombardy, the Veneto and Friuli, and North America where the German Mennonite and Amish communities brought the tradition about the coldest days in the year. I also don't know whether other countries have this tradition. However, this is the story of how the blackbird turned from white into black.
The so-called days of the hen blackbird are, according to tradition in Northern Italy, the last three days of January (29, 30 and 31). According to tradition they are the coldest three days of the year and are called the Days of the Hen Blackbird. The name derives from a legend according to which, a hen blackbird and her nestlings were originally white, but to shelter from the cold they took refuge in a chimney, from which emerged on 1 February, all black because of the soot. From that day all the blackbirds were black. According to a more elaborate version of the legend a blackbird, a hen blackbird and their three nestlings came to city at the end of the summer and settled their shelter on a tall tree in a courtyard. Later on, in wintertime, they found a new place under some eaves to shelter from the snow that in that year was particularly heavy. One day the blackbird decided to find a new and milder shelter for his family. Meanwhile the snow kept coming down. The hen blackbird, to protect her chicks from the cold moved the nest to a nearby roof, where a chimney was giving off some warm. The cold lasted three days. And three days the blackbird stayed away. When he came back he almost didn't recognize his wife and the chicks: they all had turned to black for the smoke coming out from the chimney. On the first day of February all the family stepped out from their nest. Also the blackbird was black from the soot. Since then all the blackbirds were born black. As with all legends, there is a kernel of truth, because in the Roman calendar the month of January was only 29 days long, probably, over the years it turned into 31 . Again according to legend, if the days of the hen blackbird are cold, the spring will be beautiful if they are warmthe spring will arrive late.
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If on the other hand, it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly 'see its shadow' and retreat back into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks. Modern customs of the holiday involve celebrations where early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with 'fersommlinge', social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime or quarter, per word spoken, put into a bowl in the center of the table. The holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog. The holiday also bears some similarities to the medieval Catholic holiday of Candlemas. It also bears similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolc, the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 1 and also involves weather prognostication.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Comments (46)
Faemike55
Wonderful photo and a great cultural and historical lesson Thank you
Umbetro38
Again a very nice job and I am amazed at how creative it is
MOSKETON
Preciosa imagen. Felicidades.
alessimarco
~Cool capture! Interesting background story!~
durleybeachbum
How extremely interesting, Sandra! Gosh, the things I learn here!
brycek
Nice capture and interesting reading!
magnus073
Super looking photo Sandra, and I very much enjoyed this history on the holidays as well as your thoughts on them. As always I go away having learned something since I never knew about the celebration in Pennsylvania or the tradition behind it. You really are amazing Sandra, as you share with us so many fascinating stories from all over the world.
flora-crassella
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drifterlee
Wonderful story, Sandra!!!!!! We're waiting for the groundhog.
claude19
I have read these legends with a great interest ! gorgeous footsteps rather than chickens' feet ...
renecyberdoc
great information and cultural insight.
jayfar
Interesting shot and story.
mariogiannecchini
Interessante immagine e molto belle ambedue le varianti della causa del colore dei merli .Confesso che non conoscevo questa leggenda !
lyron
Great image!!
Cosme..D..Churruca
great!
rockstrider
I really like that this image has an abstract quality to it - well seen and captured Sandra!
alanwilliams
fascinating both verbally and visually
bazza
Lovely shot Sandra and super info on these legends... The things one learns on rendo lol..
efron_241
spooky.. could be everything love the trax
jeroni
Beautiful composition. excellent work
eekdog
great capture of the tracks Sandra, like your reads abaove.
Chipka
I had no idea about the blackbird thing! You know, I can easily see myself showing up in Italy one day, with a tape recorder, and just recording your observations on various things including history and folklore, all while snapping pictures of whatever grabs my fancy...of course in Italy, there'd be a LOT to grab my photographic fancy! I really like the photograph accompanying your text. They work together perfectly, and the animal tracks are quite superb. I love the little hints of mystery in the shot. Definite tracks, but are they coming or going? Where is the culprit responsible for making them now? Should I go check my chimney? All of this meanders through my mind in a wonderful way. This is a super post!
flaviok
Um presente de conhecimento para nós, excelente minha amiga, texto e obra, aplausos (5)
Radar_rad-dude
Great photo and wonderful descriptives! Thanks for the enlightenment! Most appreciated!
jocko500
wonderful story andd the design the birds made is wonderful
bimm3d
interesting photo and great info!!
mgtcs
Amazing capture my dear, you really have a great talent to find the right angle for the pictures! Loved it!
dragonmuse
Interesting photo, and fascinating histories.
wysiwig
Fantastic photo. It looks like you have discovered an avian highway. Wonderful history on the blackbird and ground hog. The best known ground hog in the United States is Punxsutawney Phil, a resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The current Phil lives in the town library with his wife Phyllis. As his day approaches he is moved to a temporary burrow on Gobbler's Knob, a rural area located two miles outside town. Of the 114 recorded predictions since 1887, Phil has been correct just 39% of the time.
Hendesse
Great shot and very interesting informations. Thank you! :)