Seven Brothers Day: Does Rain on July 10 Predict Seven Weeks of Rain?

Tradition and Belief

Today, July 10, marks the so-called Seven Brothers Day in Latvian folklore. An old saying goes: if it rains on this day, rain will continue for seven weeks; if it is sunny, the following weeks will be sunny as well.

Can the Belief Be Trusted?

Weather observers caution that folk beliefs come true only about half of the time. For instance, on July 10, 1997, there was a thunderstorm, yet the subsequent weeks were dry and sunny. Conversely, July 10, 1998, was sunny, but August turned out rainy.

This Year's Forecast

According to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, this year July 10 promises to be more summery – rain will decrease and temperatures will rise. If the belief holds, the next seven weeks might be sunnier.

Origin of the Legend

The legend of seven brothers originated in Ephesus in the 5th century. During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius, seven young men hid in a cave, where they were walled in. After 195 years, during the reign of Emperor Theodosius, they were discovered on June 27 (July 10 according to the new calendar) and temporarily awakened, confirming the resurrection of the dead. In the ancient Latvian calendar, this day was not specially celebrated, but the belief predates Christianity. Similar beliefs exist in German, Russian, Polish, Belarusian, Swedish, and French folklore.