The Days of the Blackbird or I Giorni Della Merla
The Days of the Blackbird or I Giorni della Merla is an Italian folklore story about the last three days of January; 29th, 30th and 31st. The Days of the Common Blackbird and why this is the coldest time is a story passed down through generations, especially in northern Italy.
In the story despite their name, blackbirds known as merla in Italian, were once white, feathered birds.
The legend begins in Roman times when January only had 28 days.
We love this Italian tradition of adding sweet meanings to everyday problems. So let’s find out about The Days of the Blackbird…
The Defiant Blackbird
A blackbird, with white plumage fed up with the January cold, decided she would rest and not leave her nest until February.
The month of January took offence at this and asked February; which at the time had 31 days, for a loan of three extra days.
Harsh January then took its revenge and swept storms, snow and ice across the landscape, battering the poor little blackbird.
She flew off and hid in a chimney where she sheltered for three days.
When it was safe for her to come out her lovely white feathers had blackened from the smoke and soot.
Despite her best efforts she was never able to get them clean again.
Credit: Unsplash.
January Weather in Italy
January had taught the Blackbird or the little Merla a lesson.
It’s a lesson to us all though and means don't play with the seasons or try to fool nature.
Now January has 31 days and the last three are the coldest of the year.
As a reminder, the little merli (blackbirds) will always have black feathers.
However, one positive note is that there is a superstition that if it’s very cold at this time of year then spring will be warm and if it’s milder in January then spring will be late.
If you loved this story about The Days of the Blackbird check out our other cultural articles such as La Befana and The Arrival of the Snow Merchants!