February

February was originally the last month of the year. It is named after "februa," the plural of the Roman word "februum" for purification.

The Roman festival of purification was held during that month. Originally it was a festival for preparing for the new year as well as for the new planting season. The gods and ancestors had to be pleased so that fertile fields would follow. They, therefore, made atonement or reparations for wrongs done during this month.