Today, Wednesday 29th January, the days of the blackbird of 2025 begin. The “Days of the Blackbird” (29, 30 and 31 January) represent a popular Italian tradition that describes them as the coldest of the yearThe name derives from various legends, but the most famous is that of a blackbird who, to escape the cold, found shelter in a chimney, turning black from the smoke.

Although there is no scientific basis that confirms these days as the most rigid, folklore has passed down the story. This belief is an interesting example of how reality and myth intertwine in Italian culture.
The plausible explanation
The plausible explanation for this legend handed down over the centuries is that in the past, when the weather forecasts did not exist, people tended to remember extreme weather events, especially particularly severe cold spells that ruined crops, which were critical to survival.
It is likely that in one of these particularly harsh winters, the last days of January were the coldest, thus giving rise to the legend. January is still a very cold month today, so the reconstruction is quite concrete.
Leave a comment (0)