Saint Swithin's Day

Saint Swithin's Day

▪ weather folklore
      (July 15), one of the several days from which, in folklore, the weather for a subsequent period is dictated. In popular belief, if it rains on St. Swithin's Day, it will rain for 40 days, but, if it is fair, 40 days of fair weather will follow. St. Swithin (b. c. 800 near Winchester, Hampshire—d. July 2, 862) was bishop of Winchester from 852 to 862. At his request he was buried in the churchyard, where rain and the steps of passersby might fall on his grave. According to legend, after his body was moved inside the cathedral on July 15, 971, a great storm ensued.

      Weather frequently changes around midsummer, and thus the tradition that this day influences the weather may stem from ancient pagan belief. On the European continent similar beliefs are attached to other saints (e.g., St. Médard, June 8, France).

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Saint Swithin's Day — may refer to:* the feast day of Saint Swithun * St. Swithin s Day (comics), written by Grant Morrison * St. Swithin s Day, a song by Billy Bragg …   Wikipedia

  • Saint Swithin's Day — Saint Swith|in s Day July 15th. According to an old British tradition, if it rains on Saint Swithin s Day it will rain for the next 40 days …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Saint Swithun’s day, if thou be fair, for forty days it will remain; Saint Swithun’s day, if thou bring rain, for forty days it will remain — St. Swithun (or Swithin) was a bishop of Winchester. He died in 862 and his feast day is 15 July. The association of St. Swithun with persistent rain is at least as old as the early 14th century MS 27 in Emmanuel College, Cambridge (fo. 163;… …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • St. Swithin's Day (comics) — The story is said by Morrison to be based upon his diaries and is also said to be partly autobiographical.Publication historyIt originally appeared in Trident (which was Trident Comics anthology title) issues 1 4 in black and white. In 1990 it… …   Wikipedia

  • St Swithin's Day — noun 15 July • • • Main Entry: ↑saint * * * St Swithin s Day 7 [St Swithin s Day] [ˌsnt ˈswɪðɪnz deɪ] [ˌseɪnt ˈswɪðɪnz deɪ] noun 15 July, a Christian festival. In Britain it is said that if it rains on this day it will rain for the next fort …   Useful english dictionary

  • Swithin — Swith|in, Saint , Swithun →↑Saint Swithin s Day …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Swithin — (d. 862)    Saint and Bishop.    Little is known of the life of Swithin. He was a Bishop of Winchester and seems to have been an advisor of King Egbert of Wessex. He is known for the legend that if it rains on St Swithin’s Day (15 July), then it… …   Who’s Who in Christianity

  • Swithin — von Winchester, auch Swithun oder Svithun (* um 800 in Hampshire; † 2. Juli 862 in Winchester) ist der Name eines englischen Heiligen der römisch katholischen Kirche (2. Juli) und der anglikanischen Kirche (15. Juli). Swithin stammte aus einer… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Swithin — or Swithun [swith′ən, swith′ən] Saint (A.D. 800? 862?); Eng. prelate: his day is July 15 …   English World dictionary

  • St. Swithin —     St. Swithin     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► St. Swithin     (SWITHUN).     Bishop of Winchester; died 2 July, 862.     Very little is known of this saint s life, for his biographers constructed their Lives long after his death and there is… …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”