2007-01-15 19:14:24 · 7 answers · asked by becki f 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
Since a groundhog hibernates for the winter, its coming out of the ground is a natural sign of spring. In Europe centuries ago, people watched for other hibernating animals, including badgers, bears, and hedgehogs, as signs of winter's end. Germans who immigrated to Pennsylvania in the mid-1800s began keeping an eye on the groundhog. The widespread population of the rodent made it a handy agent for this particular weather superstition. (Punxsutawney Phil in Pa.)
If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, he goes back into his hole for another 6 weeks, if the day is cloudy and he does not see his shadow he remains out, predicting the weather to be seasonable but moderate.
A saying referring to Groundhog Day:
If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;
Half the fuel and half the hay.
(meaning 6 more weeks of winter)
Edited: So far Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow 85% of the time, thus predicting us 6 more weeks of winter.
2007-01-16 03:19:17 · answer #1 · answered by soulful thinker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a holdover from the pagan sabbat of Imbolc.
"Today, this holiday is chiefly connected to weather lore. Even our American folk-calendar keeps the tradition of 'Groundhog's Day', a day to predict the coming weather, telling us that if the Groundhog sees his shadow, there will be 'six more weeks' of bad weather (i.e., until the next old holiday, Lady Day). This custom is ancient. An old British rhyme tells us that 'If Candlemas Day be bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year.' Actually, all of the cross-quarter days can be used as 'inverse' weather predictors, whereas the quarter-days are used as 'direct' weather predictors."
2007-01-16 03:16:53 · answer #2 · answered by KC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a day when the groundhog comes out of his burrow. If he sees his shadow, it means 6 more weeks of winter.
2007-01-15 22:55:39 · answer #3 · answered by Pat C 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
invoice Murray is one among my maximum favoritest actors, yet i've got not seen Groundhog Day in a lengthy time. i like the area whilst they ultimately be certain that throwing water on the groundhogs purely makes them multiply.
2016-12-13 08:28:53 · answer #4 · answered by berkey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a holiday created for the sole purpose of a day off in government
2007-01-15 19:20:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a movie about it, just watch it.
2007-01-15 19:18:53 · answer #6 · answered by WithEnlightenmentTheDarknessCame 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a rhetorical day ...
A day that repeats ....
2007-01-15 19:23:00 · answer #7 · answered by bambambrennie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋