Candlemas : (word from popular latin °candelarum, party candelarum « Party of candles”).
Candlemas is a Party Christian religious that corresponds to the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. This Party takes place on 2 february, i.e. 40 days after Holidays.
Candlemas tradition: Belgium, France et French-speaking Switzerland : La Chandeleur is always celebrated in churches on February 2, even if we know mainly La Chandeleur as the day of the pancakes. The traditional attribute this custom to Pope Gelasius I who distributed pancakes to the pilgrims who arrived in Rome, but we can see in this ceremony the custom of the Vestal Virgins who during the Lupercalia made the offering of cakes prepared with the wheat of the old harvest so that the next one will be good. On the occasion of Candlemas, all the candles in the house should be lit. The traditional also asks not to put away the crib Holidays that from Candlemas, which constitutes the last feast of the cycle of Holidays.
There is still today a whole symbolism linked to the making of pancakes. A tradition dating back to the end of the XNUMXth century and linked to a fertility rite, consists of blowing up the pancakes with the right hand by holding a gold coin in the left hand, (for example a louis d'or) or failing that, a coin, in order to experience prosperity throughout the year, it is a question of ensuring that the crepe land correctly in the stove. It is also said that the first crepe made must be kept in a cupboard and thus the next crops will plentiful. It is sometimes specified that it is the top of a cupboard and that the pancake is then reputed not mold and ward off poverty and destitution.
It is also said that the pancakes, by their forms round et amulet, recall the solar disk, evoking the return of the spring after'winter dark et cold.
It is on Candlemas Day that the famous pbonnotte potato on the island of Noirmoutier, riding a Vendée.
Luxembourg: A distant heir to an ancient torchlight procession, the current tradition makes the Liichtmëssdag a Party at the center of which are the children. In small groups, they roam the streets on the afternoon or evening of February 2, holding in their hands a lighted wand or a lantern made by them, to sing in each house or store one or the other song traditional, in particular Léiwer Härgottsblieschen. They hope to receive in exchange a reward in the form of sweets or loose change (formerly du bacon, peas, biscuits).
Mexico : In Mexico, it is traditional to commemorate the presentation of the child Jesus to the temple on the 2 february. This celebration, very important for Mexicans, goes through the traditional of the dressing and adoration of the child Jesus, and the family meal around Tamales.
This feast is closely linked to that of theEpiphany, since it is this day, during the tasting of the “Rosca de Reyes” (Kings cake) that is designated the person who will be responsible for the organization of Candlemas. Indeed, whoever finds the muñeco (bean in the shape of the child Jesus) in the brioche is designated as the child's godfather. It is he who will have to dress the niño dios (image of the child Jesus in the form of dolls of size more or less great) on Candlemas Day with clothes richly decorated and bring it to church to be blessed. These images are often passed down from generation to generation in families.
Follows a meal with family. The one who pulls the bean withEpiphany must also prepare Tamales, preparation made of corn, supposed to recall the Mexican religious past, with the offerings of corn. The whole family is invited to this meal (these are often the same people as for the tasting from the Rosca to theEpiphany), which gives this Party a family dimension and sharing. Those célébrations do not only take place at Mexico but also in Mexican communities in the rest of the world, particularly in France. This is why this practice typical of Mexico appears in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in France.
United States of America et Canada : The celebration Candlemas was replaced in the media by Groundhog Day.