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February 2009
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2 February |
Imbolc (Pagan) |
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Monday
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This is one of the cornerstones of the Celtic Calendar.
It celebrates the growing power of the sun. Imbolc rituals are performed to ensure a steady supply of food. |
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2 February |
Candlemass (Christian) |
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Monday
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Commemorates ritual purification of Mary forty days after the birth of Jesus.
Many people light candles on this day. |
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8 or 15 February |
Parinirvana - also known as Nirvana Day (Buddhist) |
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Sunday
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This day marks the death of Buddha.
Buddhists celebrate this by meditating or going to a Buddhist temple or monasteries. It is treated as a social occasion. |
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9 February |
Yuen Sui - Lantern Festival (Chinese) |
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Monday
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Popularly referred to as Chinese Valentine's Day, this festival, held on the 15th day of lunar new year, marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Colourful lanterns in traditional designs appear in market stalls and are bought to decorate homes, restaurants and temples. |
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9 February |
Tu B'Shevat - The New Year of the Trees (Jewish) |
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Monday
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All trees have their anniversaries on this festival for religious accounting purposes. Today this has become a tree planting festival where people plant trees in memory of a loved one or friend. |
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14 February |
St Valentine's Day |
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Saturday
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Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. There was an Emperor at that time by the name of Claudius II, who decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military base.
Supposedly, Valentine decided this decree just wasn't fair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's actions he had him put to death.
Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first 'valentine' himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it 'Your Valentine', words still used on cards today.
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23 February |
Maha Shivaratri - First Day (Hindu) |
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Monday
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Maha Shivaratri is a festival dedicated to Shiva, who destroys the universe, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity. This festival is celebrated during the night and day that come just before the new moon.
Each new moon is dedicated to Shiva, but Maha Shivratri is especially important because it is the night when he danced the 'Tandav', his cosmic dance.
Night represents evil, injustice, ignorance, sin, violence, and misfortune. Tradition says that Shiva (symbolised by the new moon) appeared in order to save the world from darkness and ignorance, before the world entered complete darkness. Devotees of Shiva fast during Maha Shivaratri and stay up all night at a place of worship. Shiva is offered special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables, and coconuts, during ritual worship.
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24 February |
Shrove Tuesday (Christian) |
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Tuesday
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Celebrated in the UK as Pancake Day
Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving that Christians used to undergo in the past. In shriving, a person confesses their sins and receives absolution for them.
Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration as well as penitence, because it is the last day before Lent. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself and to use up the foods that are not allowed in Lent.
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25 February |
Ash Wednesday (Christian) |
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Wednesday
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This is the beginning of the 40 day period of Lent. A time of reflection and repentance, which may include an element of fasting.
In Ash Wednesday services churchgoers are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes as a sign of penitence and mortality. |
Further information
Natalie Hill
Equality and Diversity Officer
Telephone: 01743 260 200
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