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Candlemas

✨ The pancake festival

Candlemas is a Christian celebration observed on February 2 each year, forty days after Christmas. It commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple of Jerusalem, an event described in the Gospel of Luke.

The name of the celebration comes from the traditional use of candles during religious ceremonies, symbolizing light and the arrival of Christ. Over time, Candlemas has also become associated with popular customs, especially in France and some other European regions, where people prepare and eat crêpes on this day.

The tradition of making crêpes is linked to several explanations, including the idea that their round and golden shape represents the sun and the return of longer days after winter. In the past, Candlemas was also connected to agricultural beliefs and seasonal changes, as people observed signs that could indicate the coming weather and the start of new farming activities.

Today, Candlemas is celebrated in different ways depending on the country and personal traditions. For some, it remains a religious occasion, while for others it is mainly a cultural event centered around sharing crêpes with family or friends.

💡 Did you know?

Why pancakes? In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I wanted to thank pilgrims who had traveled to Rome by offering them crispy flatcakes. The round shape and golden color of the pancake recalled the solar disk. By eating pancakes in February, people celebrated the fact that the days were finally getting longer and the sun was staying in the sky longer!

There is a very famous superstition for Candlemas. If you manage to flip your pancake in the pan with your right hand while holding a gold coin (or money) in your left hand without the pancake falling on the floor, you'll have luck and money all year long! It's a challenge that often makes the whole family laugh because pancakes sometimes end up... on the ceiling!

In Mexico, Candlemas (Dia de la Candelaria) is linked to sharing. The person who found the figurine in the epiphany cake (in January) has the duty to invite everyone to eat 'Tamales' on February 2nd. Tamales are steamed corn dough wrapped in banana or corn leaves. It's a large, friendly celebration among friends and neighbors.