Februar

Februar is the second month of the Gregorian calendar. In common years it has 28 days, and in leap years it has 29 days. The extra day is added to keep the calendar year aligned with the solar year.

The name Februar derives from the Latin februarius, linked to the purification festival Februa observed in the old Roman calendar. The term originally signified a time of cleansing rites.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Februar lies at the boundary between winter and the approach of spring, while in the Southern Hemisphere it is a summer month. In meteorology, February is considered part of winter in the north and part of summer in the south.

Culturally, February hosts several holidays and observances that vary by region. Valentine’s Day on February 14 is widely celebrated in many countries. In some regions, February is associated with other seasonal or cultural events, including local festivals and carnivals that can occur in February or move into March depending on the year.

Februar is the German name for the month, and other languages use different forms, such as Février in French and Febrero in Spanish. The unit of time remains the same across cultures, with the month functioning as a fixed position in the annual cycle and as a practical period for scheduling seasons, holidays, and events.