Giorni della Merla, Italy’s “Legend of the Blackbird,” occurs the last three days of January. In folklore, Italians celebrated these three days hoping for a beautiful spring.
According to tradition, “if January 29th, 30th, and 31st are particularly cold, the incoming spring should be warm and sunny and arrive early”. If the opposite is true, spring will be late and rainy.
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“Italian legend has it that the last three days of January are traditionally the coldest in the year, even though this is not supported by scientific evidence.” Wanted in Rome
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There are various versions of the Giorni della Merla folktale, but the most popular tells the story of a “white blackbird tormented by a spiteful January“. At the time, January only had 28 days, while February had 31.
When the “blackbird left its nest to seek food, mischievous January pounced on it with snow, freezing temperatures, and an icy breeze”. The following January, the “blackbird stocked up on food and stayed in its nest for 28 days, before emerging triumphant to sing and tease January”.
“In revenge, the resentful month borrowed three days from February and unleashed a fierce snow storm, causing the blackbird to go into hiding once again. The bird took shelter in a chimney pot, where it stayed for three days. When it emerged on 1 February, its white feathers were forever black with soot.”
Groundhog Day
By comparison, Giorni della Merla is a bit like Groundhog Day, which is celebrated on February 2. Philadelphia groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerges from his burrow on February 2nd to see or not see his shadow, and thus predict the end of winter.
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In addition to Groundhog Day, “February 2 also marks Candlemas Day, an ancient religious holiday marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Folklore claimed that clear skies on this day meant a longer, harsher winter, while cloudy weather signaled an early spring.”
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I’ve been here in Rome since January 2. Summer in Rome is very hot, but winter weather has been mild and mostly in the 50s (10s °C) Several days of heavy rain were balanced by beautiful clear skies. More heavy rain is expected this weekend. We’ll see what happens between the 28th-31st…