The Catholic holiday of Candlemas, on 2 February, is a feast to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary 40 days after the birth of Jesus, and the presentation of baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem.
Many Christians consider Jesus as the “light of the world” so it is fitting that candles are blessed on this day and that a candle-lit procession precedes a special Mass. On Candlemas night, many people place lighted candles in their windows at home. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate this event by bringing beeswax candles to their local church to be blessed and then used in the church or at home. Some Christians observe the practice of leaving Christmas decorations up until Candlemas.
In pre-Christian times, it was the festival of light. This ancient festival marked the mid point of winter, half way between the winter solstice (shortest day) and the spring equinox.
Some people lit candles to scare away evil spirits on the dark winter nights.
It is traditional to eat crepes on Candlemas in some parts of Europe, especially France. In France, this holiday is called la Chandeleur, Fête de la Lumière (Festival of Light), or Crêpe Day. Not only do the French eat a lot of crêpes on Chandeleur, but they also do a bit of fortune telling while making them. It is traditional for each family member to hold a coin in his/her writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other, and flip the crêpe into the air. If they manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, the family will be prosperous and happy for the rest of the year.
Candlemas is also known as Candelaria in Spanish speaking countries. Whoever finds baby figures hidden inside the Rosca de Reyes (Kings Cake) on January 6 (Epiphany) is obliged to bring food to a gathering held on February 2.
Snowdrops (galanthas nivalis) are known as Candlemas Bells because they often bloom early in the year, even before Candlemas. Some varieties bloom all winter (in the northern hemisphere). The superstitious used to believe that these flowers should not be brought into the house prior to Candlemas. However, it is also believed in more recent times that these flowers purify a home. Mainly, snowdrops are a symbol of hope
In Europe, people believed that Candlemas predicted the weather for the rest of the winter, as we see from this traditional poem:
“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter won’t come again.”
There are all kinds of French proverbs and sayings for Chandeleur; here are just a few. Note the similarities to the Groundhog Day predictions made in the US and Canada:
À la Chandeleur, l’hiver cesse ou reprend vigueur—On Candlemas, winter ends or strengthens
Chandeleur couverte, quarante jours de perte—Candlemas covered (in snow), forty days lost
Rosée à la Chandeleur, hiver à sa dernière heure—Dew on Candlemas, winter at its final hour
For more detailed information on Candlemas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlemas
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