Unseasonably warm weather in fall along with colorful foliage is called “Altweibersommer” (old women’s summer) in German. Find out where the term comes from and the many other expressions this meteorological singularity goes by.
Tag: Folklore
The hottest days of summer are called “dog days” in English and “Hundstage” in German. But it has nothing to do with dogs.
June 27 is “Siebenschläfertag” in Germany. This has nothing to do with the “Siebenschläfer” (edible dormouse) but with the “Seven Sleepers” who were Christian martyrs. Find out how this is all connected to weather lore.
Groundhog Day is an American and Canadian holiday on February 2, but the custom of predicting the arrival of spring has German origins. It also has a connection to Candlemas, a religious holiday with roots dating back to Celts.
The Ice Saints or Eisheiligen in Germany are the days of May 11 (12)-15, ending with the Cold Sophie (Kalte Sophie). These days might see low temperature and night frost which is why you shouldn’t plant before those dates.
In vielen Städten findet man Skulpturen, die Figuren aus der deutschen Folklore darstellen. Märchen- und Sagengestalten erzählen Geschichten, die seit Jahrhunderten erzählt werden. Hier stelle ich acht vor: Münchhausen, die Bremer Stadtmusikanten, die Lorelei, die Heinzelmännchen, Till Eulenspiegel, die Sieben Schwaben, Klaus Störtebeker und der Rattenfänger von Hameln.
