Avril, Abril, Aibreán, or just plain old April!

April, dear April, I beg you come soon
And bring your sweet primroses too.
Let them join in with the daffodils’ play,
As skies offer sunshine anew.
~Mark Raymond Slaughter

Here in Arizona, April made its 2010 debut with cooler weather and threats of wind and rain for most parts of the state. It appears that while March may have went out like a lamb, the lion's not too far away yet! With the arrival of April, it's time for me to share some fun facts and trivia about the fourth month of the Gregorian calendar with you today!

How the name April was arrived at as the name for the second month of the Roman year is still uncertain. Many etymologists believe there is a connection to the goddess Aphrodite's festival month of Aphrilis, but there are other considerations that haven't been ruled out. Aperire - the Latin word meaning "to open" also makes sense since this is the time of year when tree buds and plant buds begin "to open!" (Aphrodite's Child - 8x10 Print available at Emily Balivet on Etsy. All rights reserved)

April is one of 4 months in the year that has 30 days and it always starts on the same day of the week as the July of that year.

April's traditional birthstone is the diamond, one of the hardest and most precious gemstones in the world. The modern birthstone is the white sapphire. Both of these stones represent innocence.

Daisies and Sweet Peas share the limelight as April's birth flowers, the earlier considered a symbol of innocence, while the latter symbolizes blissful pleasure.

(From JudyStalus - Soft Summer Bouquet, a Fine Art Photograph )

The major holiday that often falls in April is Easter - which is April 4th this year. April Fools Day (1st) and Earth Day (22nd) are two other significant holidays which fall during this month.

Do you share an April birthday with any of these famous April born people?

April arrives in the sign of Aries, giving way to the second sign of the zodiac cycle - Taurus, the sign of the bull - on April 21st.

Month-long celebrations for April include National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Humor Month, Alcohol Awareness Month, American Cancer Society Month, Keep America Beautiful Month, National Anxiety Month, National Poetry Month, Autism Awareness Month, and National Smile Month - among so many others!

The Native American name for the full Moon this month is the Panther Moon, the Moon When Geese Return in Scattered Formation, or the Flower Moon, depending on the locale of the tribe. (Flower Moon Gemstone Car Charm available from TripleMoonMagic3)

The angel for the month of April is Asmodel, who is the "Angel of Patience".

April's tree's are the walnut, rowan and maple.
Maple tree symbolism includes balance, promise and practicality. (Faceted Labradorite w Gold Plated Maple Leaf - Forest Nocturne; available at MysticWynd)

According to the Chinese agricultural calendar, April is the month of the Dragon.

There are so many more interesting facts, legends and folklore surrounding the month of April, but I'm hoping you've enjoyed the few that I've shared with you!

I'd like to say thank you to the featured shops for the display of their items to illustrate my post. Please be sure to visit them all, as well as the other great Etsy shops that are featuring April related items!