I get interested in weird stuff sometimes. I was reading Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser a while back and it mentioned what you see below here — the French Republican Calendar, a calendar used for about 13 years during the French Revolution, starting in 1793. Anyhoo, I began reading up on it for some unfathomable reason and I thought it was kinda fun, quaint, weird, etc.
The calendar begins on the autumn equinox with 12 months of 30 days each. The names of the months are based on nature. (Weeks are 10 days long, hours had 100 minutes, and I cannot even begin to explain how seconds were counted. I beg you do not ask.) Each calendar day is associated with either an animal, for days ending in 5; a tool, for days ending in 0; or a mineral or plant for all other days. You might notice the calendar year ends on September 16. The remaining 5 days were called Complementary Days and were national holidays. Woo hoo.
Today is Monday and Mondays are tiresome, so I thought it would be kinda fun, quaint, weird if we figured out our birthdays according to the French Republican Calendar.
‘Sfun, I say!!
Okay. Directions: Scroll down and find your birth season and month. Note the dates the month encompasses — they’re in the parentheses. You must start your count from the first date in the parentheses. Don’t start with 1. Start with the first number in the parentheses. (Disregard the 1-30 on the left there.) BUT remember: There are 30 days in every month. Don’t count 31.
For instance, let’s do mine: July 31. Doesn’t exist on this calendar, really, so it converts to 1. So I was born on Abricot (As in apricot, yummy) in the month of Thermidor. (As in lobster, yummy.) May you be born on something equally delicious.
Also, if you were born on one of the Complementary Days in September, here are your special days, pookums:
Sept. 17: La Fête de la Vertu “Celebration of Virtue”
Sept. 18: La Fête du Génie “Celebration of Talent”
Sept. 19: La Fête du Travail “Celebration of Labour”
Sept. 20: La Fête de l’Opinion “Celebration of Convictions”
Sept. 21: La Fête des Récompenses “Celebration of Honors (Awards)”
Do try not to get a big head about it.
Okay. So. Put your birth date in the comments — no year necessary — do the conversion and tell us your French Republican Birthday! No lopping of heads required, I promise.
READY. GO.
AUTUMN
Vendémiaire — “grape harvest” (Sep 22 ~ Oct 21)
1. Raisin (Grape)
2. Safran (Saffron)
3. Châtaigne (Chestnut)
4. Colchique (Crocus)
5. Cheval (Horse)
6. Balsamine (Impatiens)
7. Carotte (Carrot)
8. Amarante (Amaranth)
9. Panais (Parsnip)
10. Cuve (Vat)
11. Pomme de terre (Potato)
12. Immortelle (Strawflower)
13. Potiron (Calabaza)
14. Réséda (Mignonette)
15. Âne (Donkey)
16. Belle de nuit (The four o’clock flower)
17. Citrouille (Pumpkin)
18. Sarrasin (Buckwheat)
19. Tournesol (Sunflower)
20. Pressoir (Wine-Press)
21. Chanvre (Hemp)
22. Pêche (Peach)
23. Navet (Turnip)
24. Amaryllis (Amaryllis)
25. BÅ“uf (Cow)
26. Aubergine (Eggplant)
27. Piment (Chili Pepper)
28. Tomate (Tomato)
29. Orge (Barley)
30. Tonneau (Barrel)
Brumaire — “fog” (Oct 22 ~ Nov 20)
1. Pomme (Apple)
2. Céleri (Celery)
3. Poire (Pear)
4. Betterave (Beet root)
5. Oie (Goose)
6. Héliotrope (Heliotrope)
7. Figue (Fig)
8. Scorsonère (Black Salsify)
9. Alisier (Chequer Tree)
10. Charrue (Plough)
11. Salsifis (Salsify)
12. Macre (Water chestnut)
13. Topinambour (Jerusalem Artichoke)
14. Endive (Endive)
15. Dindon (Turkey)
16. Chervis (Skirret)
17. Cresson (Watercress)
18. Dentelaire (Leadworts)
19. Grenade (Pomegranate)
20. Herse (Harrow)
21. Bacchante (Asarum baccharis)
22. Azerole (Acerola)
23. Garance (Madder)
24. Orange (Orange)
25. Faisan (Pheasant)
26. Pistache (Pistachio)
27. Macjonc (Tuberous pea)
28. Coing (Quince)
29. Cormier (Service tree)
30. Rouleau (Roller)
Frimaire — “frost” (Nov 21 ~ Dec 20)
1. Raiponce (Rampion)
2. Turneps (Turnip)
3. Chicorée (Chicory)
4. Nèfle (Medlar)
5. Cochon (Pig)
6. Mâche (Corn Salad)
7. Chou-fleur (Cauliflower)
8. Miel (Honey)
9. Genièvre (Juniper)
10. Pioche (Pickaxe)
11. Cire (Wax)
12. Raifort (Horseradish)
13. Cèdre (Cedar tree)
14. Sapin (Fir tree)
15. Chevreuil (Roe Deer)
16. Ajonc (Gorse)
17. Cyprès (Cypress Tree)
18. Lierre (Ivy)
19. Sabine (Juniper)
20. Hoyau (Grub-hoe)
21. Érable sucré (Maple Tree)
22. Bruyère (Heather)
23. Roseau (Reed plant)
24. Oseille (Sorrel)
25. Grillon (Cricket)
26. Pignon (Pinenut)
27. Liège (cork)
28. Truffe (Truffle)
29. Olive (Olive)
30. Pelle (shovel)
WINTER
Nivôse — “snow” (Dec 21 ~ Jan 19)
1. Tourbe (Peat)
2. Houille (Coal)
3. Bitume (Bitumen)
4. Soufre (Sulphur)
5. Chien (Dog)
6. Lave (Lava)
7. Terre végétale (Topsoil)
8. Fumier (Manure)
9. Salpêtre (Saltpeter)
10. Fléau (Flail)
11. Granit (Granite stone)
12. Argile (Clay)
13. Ardoise (Slate)
14. Grès (Sandstone)
15. Lapin (Rabbit)
16. Silex (Flint)
17. Marne (Marl)
18. Pierre à chaux (Limestone)
19. Marbre (Marble)
20. Van (Winnowing basket)
21. Pierre à plâtre (Gypsum)
22. Sel (Salt)
23. Fer (Iron)
24. Cuivre (Copper)
25. Chat (Cat)
26. Étain (Tin)
27. Plomb (Lead)
28. Zinc (Zinc)
29. Mercure (Mercury (metal))
30. Crible (Sieve)
Pluviôse — “rain” (Jan 20 ~ Feb 18)
1. Lauréole (Spurge-laurel)
2. Mousse (Moss)
3. Fragon (Butcher’s Broom)
4. Perce-neige (Snowdrop)
5. Taureau (Bull)
6. Laurier-thym (Laurustinus)
7. Amadouvier (Tinder polypore)
8. Mézéréon (Daphne mezereum)
9. Peuplier (Poplar Tree)
10. Coignée (Axe)
11. Ellébore (Hellebore)
12. Brocoli (Broccoli)
13. Laurier (Laurel)
14. Avelinier (Cob or filbert)
15. Vache (Cow)
16. Buis (Box Tree)
17. Lichen (Lichen)
18. If (Yew tree)
19. Pulmonaire (Lungwort)
20. Serpette (Billhook)
21. Thlaspi (Pennycress)
22. Thimelé (Rose Daphne)
23. Chiendent (Couch Grass)
24. Trainasse (Knotweed)
25. Lièvre (Hare)
26. Guède (Woad)
27. Noisetier (Hazel)
28. Cyclamen (Cyclamen)
29. Chélidoine (Celandine)
30. Traîneau (Sleigh)
Ventôse — “wind” (Feb 19 ~ Mar 20)
1. Tussilage (Coltsfoot)
2. Cornouiller (Dogwood)
3. Violier (Matthiola)
4. Troène (Privet)
5. Bouc (Billygoat)
6. Asaret (Wild Ginger)
7. Alaterne (Buckthorn)
8. Violette (Violet (plant))
9. Marceau (Goat Willow)
10. Bêche (Spade)
11. Narcisse (Narcissus)
12. Orme (Elm Tree)
13. Fumeterre (Common fumitory)
14. Vélar (Hedge Mustard)
15. Chèvre (Goat)
16. Épinard (Spinach)
17. Doronic (Large-flowered Leopard’s Bane)
18. Mouron (Pimpernel)
19. Cerfeuil (Chervil)
20. Cordeau (Twine)
21. Mandragore (Mandrake)
22. Persil (Parsley)
23. Cochléaria (Scurvy-grass)
24. Pâquerette (Daisy)
25. Thon (Tuna)
26. Pissenlit (Dandelion)
27. Sylve (Forest)
28. Capillaire (Maidenhair fern)
29. Frêne (Ash Tree)
30. Plantoir (Dibber: a hand gardening tool)
SPRING
Germinal — “germination” (Mar 21 ~ Apr 19)
1. Primevère (Primrose)
2. Platane (Plane Tree)
3. Asperge (Asparagus)
4. Tulipe (Tulip)
5. Poule (Hen)
6. Bette (Chard Plant)
7. Bouleau (Birch Tree)
8. Jonquille (Daffodil)
9. Aulne (Alder)
10. Couvoir (Hatchery)
11. Pervenche (Periwinkle)
12. Charme (Ironwood)
13. Morille (Morel)
14. Hêtre (Beech Tree)
15. Abeille (Bee)
16. Laitue (Lettuce)
17. Mélèze (Larch)
18. Ciguë (Hemlock)
19. Radis (Radish)
20. Ruche (Hive)
21. Gainier (Judas tree)
22. Romaine (Lettuce)
23. Marronnier (Chestnut Oak)
24. Roquette (Arugula or Rocket)
25. Pigeon (Pigeon)
26. Lilas (Lilac)
27. Anémone (Anemone)
28. Pensée (Pansy)
29. Myrtille (Blueberry)
30. Greffoir (Knife)
Floréal — “flowering” (Apr 20 ~ May 19)
1. Rose (Rose)
2. Chêne (Oak Tree)
3. Fougère (Fern)
4. Aubépine (Hawthorn)
5. Rossignol (Nightingale)
6. Ancolie (Columbine)
7. Muguet (Lily of the Valley)
8. Champignon (Button mushroom)
9. Hyacinthe (Hyacinth)
10. Râteau (Rake)
11. Rhubarbe (Rhubarb)
12. Sainfoin (Sainfoin)
13. Bâton-d’or (Wallflower)
14. Chamérops (Palm tree)
15. Ver à soie (Silkworm)
16. Consoude (Comfrey)
17. Pimprenelle (Salad Burnet)
18. Corbeille d’or (Basket of Gold)
19. Arroche (Orache)
20. Sarcloir (Garden hoe)
21. Statice (Sea Lavender)
22. Fritillaire (Fritillary)
23. Bourrache (Borage)
24. Valériane (Valerian)
25. Carpe (Carp)
26. Fusain (Spindle (shrub))
27. Civette (Chive)
28. Buglosse (Bugloss)
29. Sénevé (Wild mustard)
30. Houlette (Shepherd’s crook)
Prairial — “pasture” (May 20 ~ Jun 18)
1. Luzerne (Alfalfa)
2. Hémérocalle (Daylily)
3. Trèfle (Clover)
4. Angélique (Angelica)
5. Canard (Duck)
6. Mélisse (Lemon Balm)
7. Fromental (Oat grass)
8. Martagon (Martagon lily)
9. Serpolet (Thyme plant)
10. Faux (Scythe)
11. Fraise (Strawberry)
12. Bétoine (Woundwort)
13. Pois (Pea)
14. Acacia (Acacia)
15. Caille (Quail)
16. Å’illet (Carnation)
17. Sureau (Elderberry)
18. Pavot (Poppy plant)
19. Tilleul (Linden or Lime tree)
20. Fourche (Pitchfork)
21. Barbeau (Cornflower)
22. Camomille (Camomile)
23. Chèvrefeuille (Honeysuckle)
24. caille-lait (Bedstraw)
25. Tanche (Tench)
26. Jasmin (Jasmine Plant)
27. Verveine (Verbena)
28. Thym (Thyme Plant)
29. Pivoine (Peony Plant)
30. Chariot (Hand Cart)
SUMMER
Messidor — “harvest” (Jun 19 ~ Jul 18)
1. Seigle (Rye)
2. Avoine (Oats)
3. Oignon (Onion)
4. Véronique (Speedwell)
5. Mulet (Mule)
6. Romarin (Rosemary)
7. Concombre (Cucumber)
8. Échalote (Shallot)
9. Absinthe (Wormwood)
10. Faucille (Sickle)
11. Coriandre (Coriander)
12. Artichaut (Artichoke)
13. Girofle (Clove)
14. Lavande (Lavender)
15. Chamois (Chamois)
16. Tabac (Tobacco)
17. Groseille (Currant)
18. Gesse (Hairy Vetchling)
19. Cerise (Cherry)
20. Parc (Park)
21. Menthe (Mint)
22. Cumin (Cumin)
23. Haricot (Bean)
24. Orcanète (Alkanet)
25. Pintade (Guinea fowl)
26. Sauge (Sage Plant)
27. Ail (Garlic)
28. Vesce (Tare)
29. Blé (Wheat)
30. Chalémie (Shawm)
Thermidor — “heat” (Jul 19 ~ Aug 17)
1. Épeautre (Einkorn Wheat)
2. Bouillon blanc (Common Mullein)
3. Melon (Honeydew Melon)
4. Ivraie (Ryegrass)
5. Bélier (Ram)
6. Prêle (Horsetail)
7. Armoise (Mugwort)
8. Carthame (Safflower)
9. Mûre (Blackberry)
10. Arrosoir (Watering Can)
11. Panis (Panic grass)
12. Salicorne (Common Glasswort)
13. Abricot (Apricot)
14. Basilic (Basil)
15. Brebis (Ewe)
16. Guimauve (Marshmallow root)
17. Lin (Flax)
18. Amande (Almond)
19. Gentiane (Gentian)
20. Écluse (Lock)
21. Carline (Carline thistle)
22. Câprier (Caper)
23. Lentille (Lentil)
24. Aunée (Yellow starwort)
25. Loutre (Otter)
26. Myrte (Myrtle)
27. Colza (Rapeseed)
28. Lupin (Lupin)
29. Coton (Cotton)
30. Moulin (Mill)
Fructidor — “fruit” (Aug 18 ~ Sep 16)
1. Prune (Plum)
2. Millet (Millet)
3. Lycoperdon (Puffball)
4. Escourgeon (Six-row Barley)
5. Saumon (Salmon)
6. Tubéreuse (Tuberose)
7. Sucrion (Sugar melon)
8. Apocyn (Apocynum)
9. Réglisse (Liquorice)
10. Échelle (Ladder)
11. Pastèque (Watermelon)
12. Fenouil (Fennel)
13. Épine vinette (Barberry)
14. Noix (Walnut)
15. Truite (Trout)
16. Citron (Lemon)
17. Cardère (Teasel)
18. Nerprun (Buckthorn)
19. Tagette (Mexican Marigold)
20. Hotte (Sack)
21. Églantine (Wild Rose)
22. Noisette (Hazelnut)
23. Houblon (Hops)
24. Sorgho (Sorghum)
25. Écrevisse (Crayfish)
26. Bigarade (Bitter Orange)
27. Verge d’or (Goldenrod)
28. Maïs (Maize or Corn)
29. Marron (Chestnut)
30. Panier (Basket)
Mine (Dec 13) turns out to be the 23 Frimaire (Frost), dedicated to the Roseau, or reed plant. I think the nature designations are lovely, but leave it to the French to decide they can overrule astrophysics.
Yes, we will make it bow- bow, I tell you!- to l’egalite! Is it not so, Citizeness?
Citizeness Frimaire Roseau — I’m sorry yours is less delicious. 😉
Apricot and lobster sounds like a dish I’d see in the “Top Chef” competition.
Me: Oct. 18–Piment (“chili pepper”) in the month of Vendemiaire (“grape harvest”). Sounds like a good dinner to me!
Kate Piment — Spicy!!
Oh, yes, I am one spicy dish. 😉
Well, I’m not quite so tasty, but I did learn what Salad Burnet is, so the day is not a waste! 🙂 May 6, The month of Floreal “Flowering” and the day of Pimprenelle (Salad Burnet)– apparently a hearty little herb. Who knew?!
Okay, if I did this right, July 5, I was born on Grosielle (Currant) in the month of Messidor (Harvest).
Tiny and wrinkled. Not sure how I feel about that one.
Sept. 15 – Apparently I was born in the month of Fructidor (fruit) on the Marron (chestnut) day. I just missed those “special” days by 2 days!
Aug 27 – let’s see…. I was born in the month of Fructidor, on the day of Echelle.
A fruit ladder?? Do they mean a ladder made of fruit, or a ladder used for picking fruit, or someone who likes to eat fruit while standing on ladders, or what? lol
Kristina is a Flowering Pimprenelle! Is that a distant cousin to the Scarlet Pimpernel? I think yours is the prettiest so far.
Jayne — But currants are so yummy.
Kathi — Yours makes me think of turkey stuffing. 😉
Sam2 — They mean an actual ladder. Days ending in 0 — notice how your b-day coincides with the 10 on the left? — are dedicated to “tools.” (Your date is the 10th day of their month.)
Although a ladder made of fruit would fit the “delicious” theme much better.
September 5; this makes me (I think) Fructidor 19th, the “Mexican Marigold.” I should be wrestling with that moniker.
Mine is the month of Thermidor and the day of Guimauve which is marshmallow root…I never did like that marshmallow stuff when I was a kid…I hope this isn’t that! Talk about a confusing calendar. Can you imagine being in first or second grade and having to learn all that crap just to tell what day it was!
I have done a lot of research into this Metric Calendar. It has occupied a lot of my life the past 2 weeks, trying to figure out what the metric time is for this time and the metric day is for that day. I don’t know whether this is supreme irony or supreme justice but my Birthday (Sept 19) is the Celebration of Labour.