Do the months have meanings?

Question

I've heard that the month of December is the month of death and dying. Is it true that the months have meanings, and if so, what are they? Ten points for the best answer of course.

Answer 1

January -- Janus's month

Middle English Januarie

Latin Januarius "of Janus"

Latin Janu(s) "Janus" + -arius "ary (pertaining to)"

Latin Januarius mensis "month of Janus"

Janus is the Roman god of gates and doorways, depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions. His festival month is January.

Januarius had 29 days, until Julius when it became 31 days long.

February -- month of Februa

Middle English Februarius

Latin Februarius "of Februa"

Latin Februa(s) "Februa" + -arius "ary (pertaining to)"

Latin Februarius mensis "month of Februa"

Latin dies februatus "day of purification"

Februarius had 28 days, until circa 450 BC when it had 23 or 24 days on some of every second year, until Julius when it had 29 days on every fourth year and 28 days otherwise.

Februa is the Roman festival of purification, held on February fifteenth. It is possibly of Sabine origin.

Intercalaris -- inter-calendar month

Latin Intercalaris "inter-calendar"

Latin Mercedonius (popular name) "?"

Intercalaris had 27 days until the month was abolished by Julius.

March -- Mars' month

Middle English March(e)

Anglo-French March(e)

Old English Martius

Latin Martius "of Mars"

Latin Marti(s) "Mars" + -us (adj. suffix)

Latin Martius mensis "month of Mars"

Martius has always had 31 days.

March was the original beginning of the year, and the time for the resumption of war.

Mars is the Roman god of war. He is identified with the Greek god Ares.

April -- Aphrodite's month

Old English April(is)

Latin Aprilis

Etruscan Apru

Greek Aphro, short for Aphrodite.

Aprilis had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 30 days long.

Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty. She is identified with the Roman goddess Venus.

May -- Maia's month

Old French Mai

Old English Maius

Latin Maius "of Maia"

Latin Maius mensis "month of Maia"

Maius has always had 31 days.

Maia (meaning "the great one") is the Italic goddess of spring, the daughter of Faunus, and wife of Vulcan.

June -- Juno's month

Middle English jun(e)

Old French juin

Old English junius

Latin Junius "of Juno"

Latin Junius mensis "month of Juno"

Junius had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 30 days long.

Juno is the principle goddess of the Roman Pantheon. She is the goddess of marriage and the well-being of women. She is the wife and sister of Jupiter. She is identified with the Greek goddess Hera.

July -- Julius Caesar's month

Middle English Julie

Latin Julius "Julius"

Latin Julius mensis "month of Julius"

Latin quintilis mensis "fifth month"

Quintilis (and later Julius) has always had 31 days.

Julius Caesar reformed the Roman calendar (hence the Julian calendar) in 46 BC. In the process, he renamed this month after himself.

August -- Augustus Caesar's month

Latin Augustus "Augustus"

Latin Augustus mensis "month of Augustus"

Latin sextilis mensis "sixth month"

Sextilis had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 31 days long.

Augustus Caesar clarified and completed the calendar reform of Julius Caesar. In the process, he also renamed this month after himself.

September -- the seventh month

Middle English septembre

Latin September

Latin septem "seven" + -ber (adj. suffix)

Latin september mensis "seventh month"

September had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 30 days long.

October -- the eighth month

Middle English octobre

Latin October

Latin octo "eight" + -ber (adj. suffix)

Latin october mensis "eighth month"

October has always had 31 days.

November -- the nineth month

Middle English Novembre

Latin November

Latin Novembris mensis "nineth month"

Novembris had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 30 days long.

December -- the tenth month

Middle English decembre

Old French decembre

Latin december "tenth month"

Latin decem "ten" + -ber (adj. suffix)

December had 30 days, until Numa when it had 29 days, until Julius when it became 31 days long.

Answer 2

they don't have meaning however the Romans came up with ten months and they have god for it! These are all Roman GODS!

January god is gates and doorway

February god is sabrine orgin

March god of war

April god of love and beauty

May goddess of spring

June god of marrigage and well being women

Julius Ceaser renamed July after his name

Augustus Caesar renamed August after his name

September used to have 29 days in a month until Julius Caear camed along and made it 30 days

October has always had 31 days

November  used to have 29 days in a month until Julius Caear camed along and made it 30 days

December used to have 29 days in a month until Julius Caear camed along and made it 30 days

There you go the months don't have meaning!

Answer 3

here's where the long winded explanations come from.

http://www.crowl.org/Lawrence/time/month...

September, October, November, and December mean 7, 8, 9, and 10.

the first 6 months are named after gods.

july and august are named after julius and augustus caesar.