8. Etymological level, Candlemas, which was called
before the Chandeleuse, comes from the word
candle. Originally Candlemas comes from the
Latin phrase "festa candelarum" which means
« Festival of candles » because the blessing of
the candles was taking place that day.
It has often been forgotten but Candlemas is the
last of Christmas. But, like many festivals Judeo-
Christian heritage, Candlemas has its origins in a
mix of pagan traditions and Jewish and Christian
religions.
9. The pagan origins
One source of Candlemas dates back to Roman
Parentalia which was an annual festival in honor
of the dead, during which the Romans watched
with candles and torches, honoring the gods and
Pluto.
Candlemas is also linked to the god Pan.
Overnight worshipers of the Roman god Pan
roamed the streets of Rome carrying torches.
Candlemas is also the survival of a belief and
symbolism of Celtic origin. The crêpe symbolizes
the sun gear and the gift to the gods, without
which the wheat is decayed
10. Jewish and Christian Origins
Candlemas - Christian festival - has its origins in
the feast of churching. 40 days after the birth of
her child, the Hebrews celebrated the churching
of women through a purification ceremony.
In the Catholic religion Candlemas is the day of
the presentation of Jesus in the temple 40 days
after Christmas, his birthday. The
Christianization of Candlemas is in 472, when
Pope Gelasius I organized processions with
candles symbolizing "Jesus Light of Israel". The
candles are blessed on Candlemas Day as a
sign of purification.
13. Candlemas and money
A custom of Candlemas was to hold a gold coin in the left
hand while the right one blew the first pancake. If the
pancake properly falls back into the pan it will not fail to
money throughout the year.
This custom of Candlemas varies between countries and
regions, and in some areas this pancake was then folded
around the gold coin and placed on the top of the cupboard of
the bedroom‘s host. The debris of the pancake last year were
then recovered and given the coin it contained the first poor met.
If we respected all these rites we were assured, they said, to
have money all year.
Now that gold coins are rare it has become customary to blow
the pancake in one hand, taking the coin in the other hand.
14. Candlemas and crops
In other areas the farmers have become used to launch
the pancake over a cupboard to ensure good crops.
Also just eat the gold discs "pancakes" to prevent the
grain rot during the year.
Candlemas and sayings about weather
A very old popular saying :
the bear comes out of hibernation on Candlemas.
If the weather is gloomy,
winter is over and the bear can finally emerge from its den.
If the weather is nice and the bear sees his shadow,
winter lasts 40 days.
15. Little comptine
learned
by
preschoolers
Candlemas
Candlemas is tomorrow,
Tomorrow we will eat pancakes.
Round pancakes, blond pancakes
Pancakes that fly,
As the game of ‘pigeon flies’
The lovely golden pancakes could
Jump ON OUR NOSE!
