Twelve months of the year in Lithuanian (“Stories of the Words”)

Unlike many languages, our months of the year are not derived from Latin. Every single one of them has a meaning of its own. A meaning which represents the culture of Lithuania. Here are their meanings.

Sausis – January – literally meaning dry. It is called this way, because at the time the weather is very cold, and all the water freezes. In January, the snow is very cold and dry.

Vasaris – February – literally meaning summer-like. It is called this way, because it used to be the warm month of the winter. The people suffocated by the cold winter used to dream about summer, plan the upcoming work. February is sometimes refered to as the misleading month.

Kovas – March – named after the bird rook. It is called this way, because the rooks come back to LIthuania at the begging of March.

Balandis – April – named after the bird pigeon. It is named this way, because the landscape of April reminds people of a pigeon – it is grey, and with some white spots of snow. The name also symbolises the singing of birds.

Gegužė – May – named after the bird Cuckoo. It was named this way, because it is the time when the cuckoos start cuckooing.

Birželis – June – its name comes from the word biržis, meaning a mark in the ground marking where the grain was planted. June is supposed to be the month of planting.

Liepa – July – named after the Linden tree. It is called this way, because at the time of July, the Linden tree starts to bloom, and at the same time the bees bring in honey, which is very known for its superior taste.

Rugpjūtis – August – literally meaning cutting ryes. It is called tihs way, because at the time of August all the rye from last year is being cut/harvested.

Rugsėjis – September – literally meaning sowing ryes. It is called this way, beacause at the time all the rye is being sowed/ planted for the upcoming year.

Spalis – October – the literal meaning is the fragments of the husk of flax. It is named this way, because October was the time when all the husks of flax were being beaten.

Lapkritis – November – Its meaning is very obvious. It literally means the time of the year, when leafs start to fall.

Gruodis –  December – named after the word gruodas, meaning lumpy frozen land. It is called this way, because at the time of December, the weather becomes colder and the winter starts to unfold.