Home » Home & Style » Ethnic Crafts » Calendars

Calendars

© Regenia G. Butcher

The old man removed his glasses and leaned back in his desk chair. He'd seen better days but couldn't complain. He was of a generation that didn't complain. After a minute's contemplation, he took the sheet of paper from the typewriter's grip, put it on the bottom of the stack on his desk, and evened the pages. Then, he placed the manuscript into the awaiting box and sealed it. He would mail it tomorrow and allow his thoughts of characters and story plots to rest for a while. His books weren't as sought after as they had been; it was a different market now. Still, however, his calendar was nicely filled with speaking engagements and book signings here and there. He walked over to the wall calendar and flipped the page over to reveal the new month. "Oh!" he realized, "I've got one of those medical tests scheduled later this week." He sighed, thinking that some reminders might just as well be omitted. At least then he could say with all honesty that he'd forgotten about it.

But, calendars don't let you forget about things. They're bold in their announcements, giving you a "shout out" from their chosen date-blocks. They have a "no holds barred" way of alerting us to things we need to do and places we need to be. But, they also have a welcomed way of highlighting the special days that offer us a break in our daily routine. Calendars have been around, in one form or another, since early Biblical times. They've been re-adjusted throughout history, revered for their social/spiritual/cosmic aligning, and officially regulated due to their necessity in keeping life orderly. And there's a 99.5 percent chance that you have one hanging on a wall near you - lines squarely drawn on paper, influenced by the circling Earth, Sun and Moon, echoing out to seasons past and generations gone.

Can the ordinary, everyday calendar be considered an "ethnic craft" item? I think so, because people of various nations calculated and worked with them and made them their own. Also, since the calendar tracks and keeps track of the many celebrations and observations of a nation, it is perhaps one of the most important ethnic cultural items. And that's not even taking into consideration the creative/aesthetic quality of them that helps to make them nationally unique.

The beginning of each new year marks mankind's oldest celebration. However, it also acknowledges one of man's oldest debates - what day that new year begins. Babylonians and early Romans thought it should start right after the Vernal Equinox signaling Spring; afterall, Spring connotated a rebirth that matched the rebirth of a new year. But in 153 BC, the Roman Senate declared New Year's Day to be January 01 and later, Julius Caesar finalized that date. In 1582, Pope Gregory XII instituted the Gregorian calendar, which is used in most English-speaking countries today.

The copyright of the article Calendars in Ethnic Crafts is owned by Regenia G. Butcher. Permission to republish Calendars in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.