Monthly Archives: February 2016

Unmasking the Mythology behind Carnival

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Arthur George

Last year at this time I was living for about a month in Nice, France, during its annual Carnival (see photo). The festival’s inventive costumes, float parades, and jovial and irreverent atmosphere was not only great fun but also piqued my interest in … Continue reading →

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Valentine’s Day Mythology: How St. Valentine Became Eros

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Arthur George

The most original and enduring symbol of Valentine’s Day is a heart pierced by the arrow of Cupid, Eros in ancient Greece. It is not obvious, however, what this pagan image and the mythology that lies behind it should have … Continue reading →

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The Mythology and Ritual Behind Groundhog Day

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Arthur George

Groundhog Day is our first holiday that formally looks forward to spring weather, optimistically reminding us that it will come sooner or later, the interesting question being which it will be. The equivalent holiday worked likewise for our ancestors centuries … Continue reading →

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