April is the fourth month of the Gregorian calendar and marks the heart of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, a time of budding nature and changeable weather. The month is also known for its specific traditions and historical associations.
1. Name origin: Uncertain, possibly ‘to open’
The exact origin of the name ‘April’ is uncertain. A popular theory is that it derives from the Latin verb ‘aperire’, meaning ‘to open’.
This could refer to the opening of buds and flowers in spring. Other theories link the name to the Greek goddess Aphrodite (Aphros) or the Etruscan name Apru.
2. The fourth month, originally the second
In the original Roman calendar, which began in March, April was the second month. Later, with the addition of January and February at the beginning of the year (around 700 BCE or later, according to tradition by King Numa Pompilius), April became the fourth month.
The month has always had 30 days in the Roman and later Julian and Gregorian calendars.
3. April 1st: Jokes and pranks
The most famous tradition of April is April 1st, the day when it’s customary to play pranks. The origin of this tradition is unclear.
A common, though likely incorrect, theory links it to the transition to the Gregorian calendar in France in 1582. People who clung to celebrating New Year around April 1st (the beginning of spring) were supposedly ridiculed. Other theories point to older spring festivals or Roman festivals like Hilaria.
4. Dutch sayings: ‘April doet wat hij wil’ (April Does Whatever It Wants)
April is known for its changeable weather, with sudden shifts from sunshine to rain, hail, or even snow. This is reflected in numerous weather sayings.
The most famous Dutch one translates to ‘April does what it wants’. Other sayings like ‘April showers bring May flowers’ (English equivalent, though the Dutch ‘Aprilse grillen’ refers to April’s whims/moods) emphasize the unpredictability of the weather in this transitional month.
5. Flowering month and grass month
In Dutch, April has the nicknames ‘bloeimaand’ (flowering month) and ‘grasmaand’ (grass month). These names directly refer to nature coming fully alive during this period.
Trees sprout leaves, flower bulbs bloom, and the grass begins to grow vigorously again after winter.
6. Astrological signs: Aries and Taurus
The astrological signs that fall in April are Aries and Taurus. People born from April 1st to about April 19th fall under the sign of Aries.
People born from about April 20th onwards fall under the sign of Taurus. Aries is associated with energy and impulsivity, while Taurus is seen as practical and persistent.
7. Easter often falls in April
Because Easter is determined by the first full moon after the start of spring (March 21st), Easter Sunday often falls in April (sometimes late March). This makes April an important religious month for many Christian cultures.
The Easter holidays also often bring extra days off and activity during this month.
8. Birthstones and flowers
The birthstone for the month of April is the diamond, symbolizing eternal love, strength, and invincibility. It is one of the most precious and sought-after gemstones.
The birth flowers for April are the daisy (symbolizing innocence and purity) and the sweet pea (symbolizing blissful pleasure).
April is a month of contrasts: the changeable weather contrasts with the abundantly blooming nature, and the serious undertones of Good Friday and Easter are interspersed with the lightheartedness of April Fools’ Day. It is a dynamic month that marks the transition from winter to the warmer seasons, full of life, color, and surprises.
