January 31, 2022
Weekly global religious, spiritual and nonreligious observance information
The President's Committee on Religion, Spirituality and Nonreligious Diversity presents the global observance information for Jan. 31-Feb. 6.
Feb. 1, Imbolc, Celtic — Wiccan/Pagan/Celtic. Originally a festival in honor of the pagan goddess Brigid this holiday marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The holiday is also known as St. Brigid's Day.
Chinese New Year begins Feb. 1 and culminates in the lantern festival on Feb. 15. Celebrations mark the beginning of the new year on the lunisolar Chinese calendar and include feasting, visiting relatives, several days holiday and the giving of red envelopes. 2022 is the year of the tiger according to the Chinese zodiac.
Feb. 2, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. It falls between the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on Jan. 25 and the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter on Feb. 22. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.
Feb. 3, Setsubun-sai Shinto: Celebration of the end of winter and the beginning of spring particularly at Shinto shrines in Japan. It is most commonly celebrated by bean throwing. This drives out evil spirits and is followed later in the day by people eating the number of soybeans equal to their age, often with the addition of another for good fortune.
Four Chaplains Sunday: Services are held throughout the U.S. in recognition of four chaplains who died trying to rescue civilian and military personnel aboard the S.S. Dorchester that sank on Feb. 3, 1943.
Feb. 5, Vasant Panchami festival of spring in honor of the goddess Saraswati, goddess of learning, music and the arts. It falls on the fifth day of the Hindu lunar month Magha — January/February in the West — and is celebrated by people in the Indian subcontinent in various ways depending on the region. Observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in India, Bangladesh, Java and Bali, Indonesia. People often wear yellow on this day as it is a favorite of the goddess. Offerings of fruit and other specific foods are made to her.
The President's Committee on Religious, Spiritual and Nonreligious Diversity welcomes those of all global religious, spiritual and nonreligious commitments. Further, we welcome any suggestions, questions or other comments. Please contact the chair, Bev Earles, at earles@k-state.edu.