"The month of expiation." It took its name from a festival of purification and expiation known as Februa, which was held on the 15th of the month.
February, the second month in the Gregorian calendar, takes its name from the Latin word Februa - this was a purification festival in Ancient Rome at that time of year.
As the story goes, the lashing made them fertile.
February is from Latin februa, a purification ceremony. This became a month of purification.
The month of February was named after the festival of purification called februa in ancient Rome.
This fact is unknown, but it is thought to be either the Italian god Februa or the festivals of purification in Rome
Latin. History: The month of February came from the Roman month Februarius ("of Februa,"). It was named for the Februa/Februatio festival, which occurred on the 13th to 15th days of this Roman month. A later Roman god Februus personified both the month and also purification, and is named for them. Thus, the month is named for the festival and not for the god.
Young women, lined the route of the celebratory "run around the city" hoping to be "whipped" by the februa of the celebrants. This was to ensure fertility, and ease the pains of childbirth. Barren women often joined the lines hoping the touch of the februa would make them fertile. For more information please see the related link below.
The Ancient Roman lunar calendar had a month called Februarius, named for the purification festival called Februa which was held on the 15th day of that month.
The name of the month of February comes from the Latin word februum, which means purification. The purification ritual of Februa occurred on February 15 in the old Roman calendar.
The name of February derives from the Latin word februum, meaning purification, deriving from the purifaction ritual Februa, held on February 15, the time of the full moon on the old Roman lunar calendar.
The month of February doesn't have a "w" because the word is derived from the Latin term "Februarius," which was named after the Roman festival of purification called Februa. The English language spelling evolved from this Latin origin without the inclusion of a "w."