Creating Holidays #7: Animals!

[Minibit]

Whether it's a cultural festival for anthros or furries to celebrate their roots, or a hug-your-pet day, it's not inconceivable for a culture to have holidays based on the local wildlife! For example, in real life, we have Arbor Day, which focuses on the preservation of the natural world; primarily trees, but the animals that live in those trees, too! We also have focus times for species which are endangered or facing extinction! Many animals also are used as symbols: For example, in this world, a dove may be used to represent peace, a dog for loyalty, a fox for cunning. In this way, a holiday could use an animal to celebrate what that animal represents.

So your task is twofold this time; first, come up with a decent list of creatures to populate your world (MalkutheHighwind's Creature Creation Challenges may help!) and then create a holiday based around those creatures!

The holiday can be about protection, appreciation, affection, hunting, communicating, remembering, anything!

You can use the form below or free-write, but if you free-write please try and cover the points in the form!

Holiday Name:
When is it celebrated?
Who celebrates?
What is done to celebrate?
How old is this holiday?
Has this holiday changed much from its roots?
Where do the festivities take place?
Is there anything it is taboo to do on this holiday?
Do people dress differently for this holiday?
Is any kind of decoration traditional?
Are any colours, symbols, or icons associated with this holiday?
Are any spirits or deities associated with this holiday?
Is it an important/widespread celebration, or a smaller affair?
Are there any foods or drinks associated with this holiday?
Do any natural events coincide with this holiday (ie: an eclipse)?
What creatures are celebrated:
What is the attitude towards animals for this holiday?
How do pets/tamed animals/familiars fit in?
Is it permissible to kill an animal on this holiday?
Is it permissible to eat meat on this holiday?
Do insects count?


Other Creating Holidays Exercises:

Seasons!
Death!
Food!
Protection!
Costumes!
Travel!
Animals!
Time!
Parents!
Invention!
Gifts!
Inebriation!
Superstition!
Religion!
Miracles!
Birthdays!
Manliness!
Games!
The Future!
Purification!
Flowers!

 

[hang town shadow]

Holiday name:weak of the beast
Monday-day of the wolf a day of strength
Tuesday-day of the feline day fore the cunning
Wednesday-day of the tortes day to relax
Thursday-day of the owl a day fore all who love the night
Friday-day of the deer a day to forage for ones self
Saturday-day of the fish a day to pray meditate enjoy ones religion
Sunday-day of the monkey a day fore joyful pranks and good jokes.

The weak of the beast is a holiday for all ages this holiday takes place in any ones home but most celebrate with a week of camping. It is a holiday to love the animals around us it also makes a good day to adopt this holiday is optional and killing is frowned apone all days but Friday.

 

[Little Leo]

During the Frost Moons, white wolves are revered as the protectors the witches who perform magic on this full moon. The Frost Moons were created when the witches and warlocks found the two moons to be at their brightest and fullest on the last day of the year. On a night like this, there is absolutely no chance of dark energy ruining your magic. Special events include giving a gift to the white wolf chosen to represent the god this holiday is based on and using large magic circles across the land to find the witch who would take this wolf on as a familiar. When the circles are casted, the spells look for a witch worthy of such a being of power, usually a witch with undiscovered powers. Finding a witch like this is rare and usually once in every hundred to a thousand years, if there is no witch found as usual, the white wolf is let go to return to the wild. If the witch is found, then she will be sent along with the wolf to serve the royal family and study magic at the best academy in the land in the capital. This holiday is for all ages and white wolves during this holiday are fed meats and other foods, pretty much pampered. Ignoring the holiday is not the best idea, bad luck will ensue until you pay your respects to the white wolf chosen by placing meat out for packs of white wolves to eat. Killing animals are done the day before this holiday so that they can provide meat to the sacred animals. On the holiday itself, it is not forbidden to kill animals, but it seems in poor taste. The day was based on the legend of Faolan, a small white wolf pup whose powers rivaled that of a human's. Faolan was worshiped as the goddess of light magic and still is even today. As legend goes, Faolan's magic was strong enough that she decided to leave our land for one among the stars. She traveled to the two moons in the sky and watched the witches and warlocks come across bad luck, even on full moons. Deciding to help, Faolan sleeps most of the year to reserve her energy and once the last day of the year comes, she uses all her energy to light up the two moons and push away all the evil creatures who lurk in the shadows. People say that during the Frost Moons, they sometimes see Faolan jumping from moon to moon, celebrating the joyous day where her subjects may freely do magic and she can play.


(Phew, I think I'll use this for my roleplay coming up)