1 Feb
(Sun)
Imbolc (Pagan)
One of the four principal festivals of the Celtic calendar, celebrated either at the beginning of February or at the first signs of Spring. Originally dedicated to the goddess Brighid, in the Christian period it was adopted as St. Brigid's Day. The festival celebrates the awakening of the land and the growing power of the sun. Fire and purification are considered by many to be an important aspect of this festival, the lighting of candles and fires being symbolic of the return of warmth associated with the approach of spring.
2 Feb
(Mon)
Candlemas
Also known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Presentation of the Lord, and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. This Christian feast commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple. Candlemas derives its name from the custom of congregations holding lighted candles during the celebration in church and from the tradition whereby a priest would bless candles for use during the coming year.
3 Feb
(Tue)
Setsubun (Bean Scattering)
In Japan, Setsubun is the day before the beginning of each season, but is generally used to refer to the Spring Setsubun, properly called Risshun, celebrated yearly on 3rd February. Spring Setsubun is traditionally celebrated by the head of the household throwing pan-heated soybeans out the door, while chanting "Demons out! Luck in!" At Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines all over the country, there are celebrations for Setsubun: priests and invited guests will throw roasted soy beans (some wrapped in gold or silver foil), small envelopes with money, sweets, candies and other prizes. Families will also put up small decorations of fish heads and holly leaves on their house entrances so that bad spirits will not enter.
8 Feb
or
15 Feb
Parinirvana (Nirvana Day)
Buddhist holiday celebrated in East Asia. Some Buddhists celebrate this day on 8th February, but most do so on 15th February. The day celebrates the occasion when Buddha achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body at the age of 80. The day is known as Nirvana Day by Pure Land Buddhists.
9 Feb
(Mon)
Tu B'Shevat
Also known as the "New Year for Trees." It occurs on the 15th of the Jewish month of Shevat and marks the beginning of the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. Tu B'Shevat is marked by the planting of new trees and the eating of fruit, particularly from the "Seven Kinds" that are singled out by the Torah in its praise of the bounty of the Holy Land: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.
9 Feb
(Mon)
Teng Chieh (Lantern Festival)
This traditional Chinese festival occurs on the day of the first full moon of the year and marks the end of the Chinese New Year season. Celebrations include fireworks, folk dancing and traditional public performances such as the dragon parade and the lion dance. Yuanxiao, a round, sweet, stuffed dumpling made with sticky rice flour is the traditional food associated with this festival. People hang paper lanterns along streets and around homes and carry them around parks and outside temples. People often write auspicious phrases on the lanterns to ward off evil spirits and attract good ones; some will decorate their lantern with a riddle and award a prize to the first person who solves it. The light given off by the lanterns is said to attract heavenly spirits and allow celebrants the chance to see them.
14 Feb
(Sat)
St. Valentine's Day
The traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other, sending Valentine's cards and gifts, often anonymously. The holiday is named after two men, both Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages, later being marked with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines". Since the 19th century, however, hand-written notes have been superseded by mass-produced greeting cards, leading some to disparagingly call Valentine's Day a "Hallmark holiday".
23 Feb
(Mon)
Mahashivratri (Great Shiva Night)
Also known as Maha Shivratri (Great Shiva Night) or Shivaratri (Night of Shiva), this is the night on which Shiva is said to perform the cosmic dance from creation to destruction. The most significant practices on this day are offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to Shiva, all-night prayer vigils focusing on Shiva and his shrines and statues, and fasting. Milk is also poured on Shiva's symbol, the lingam.
24 Feb
(Tue)
Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday is the name given to the day before Ash Wednesday in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. Traditionally, this day was set aside for repentance and absolution in preparation for Lent. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of "shrovetide," which is the English equivalent to the Carnival tradition. In countries with the Carnival tradition, the day before Ash Wednesday is known either as the "Tuesday of Carnival" or "Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras)". In Britain, Shrove Tuesday is commonly known as Pancake Day, after the tradition of consuming pancakes made to use up all the rich foods prohibited during Lent.
24 Feb
(Tue)
Mardi Gras
The day before Ash Wednesday, being equivalent to Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" and is the final day of Carnival before the privations of Lent.
25 Feb
(Wed)
Ash Wednesday
The first day of Lent (the period when Christians remember the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness and the temptations he faced during this time). The name arises from the tradition of using ash to mark a cross on the foreheads of worshippers during the service marking the beginning of Lent.
25 Feb –
11 Apr
Lent
The period of forty days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter, during which Christ’s time in the wilderness is commemorated. It is a time of fasting, discipline and self-denial. Traditionally Christians give up something they enjoy during Lent, often giving the money they save to church funds or charity.
