Do You Celebrate Candlemas?
By Anna
@LadyDuck (471500)
Switzerland
February 2, 2019 7:52am CST
February 2nd is considered by many culture as the day where they can "predict" if winter will continue or stay.
The United States and Canada celebrate the day as "Groundhog Day", many Christian countries around the world celebrate "Candlemas".
Candlemas commemorates the day Jesus was presented to the temple.
The origin of the name comes from the fact that Christians consider Jesus the “light of the world”, on this day candles are blessed and a candle-lit procession precedes the mass.
On this day, in France, it is traditional to eat crêpes. The crêpes tradition is attributed to Pope Gelasius I, who had pancakes distributed to pilgrims arriving in Rome.
This is believed to assure wealth and happiness until the next Candlemas celebration.
It is also said that the pancakes, with their round shape and golden color reminiscent of the solar disc, refer to the return of Spring after the dark and cold of Winter.
Who is going to make crêpes today?
102 people like this
106 responses
@allknowing (136425)
• India
2 Feb 19
We have what is called Pancake Tuesday. Wonder if this has any connection.
9 people like this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
22 Feb 19
Does it snow in India? Do you have winter season?
3 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
2 Feb 19
I don't put much faith in what the groundhog says but I'm hoping he's right about an early spring.
I won't be making crepes today but it does sound like a nice tradition
6 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
2 Feb 19
Not have crepes today but they are so good. The groundhog seen his shadow here so six more weeks of winter for us.
6 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
2 Feb 19
@Juliaacv I guess we will just wait and see what happens
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
2 Feb 19
No, I don't! However, I do appreciate all that Jesus did in our behalf. 
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
3 Feb 19
@LadyDuck I used to go to mass till I was in my later teens but I don't remember ever doing that. Maybe it is only done in certain places?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
3 Feb 19
@1hopefulman In Italy they did everywhere in the Churches when I was young.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
2 Feb 19
In Denmark we don't celebrate Candlemas. I have only celebrated it once and that was the year I lived in Estonia. I wasn't familiar with that celebration at all. My coworkers told me that people bring the candles to the church to get them blessed. We didn't do that in Estonia, because the church was too far away, but we lighted a lot of candles outside the house.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
3 Feb 19
@LadyDuck The only celebration we have that involves candles is the Lucia procession in December. We all carried candles so we had to be careful. It could be dangerous to get too close to the girl in front of us.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
4 Feb 19
@Porcospino Santa Lucia is celebrated mainly in Sicily in Italy, they also organize a procession where girls wear candles on their head.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
2 Feb 19
OH I wasn't aware of this. I would have eaten crepe today but it's too late now because it's my bed time. I will try to remember this for next year.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
3 Feb 19
@LadyDuck Yum I'm sure they're very tasty. There's this crepe that I tried at a coffee shop where they add lemon to it. I love that crepe.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
3 Feb 19
@toniganzon I added an orange sauce, French style.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Feb 19
Happy Candlemas! I don't celebrate that holiday. February second is my nephew's birthday and Groundhog Day. My nephew is celebrating in New York City with his friends, and I have no need to celebrate Groundhog's Day anymore. It's constantly spring in Florida.
After tennis today, we had omelets for breakfast at the club. My husband had a side of small pancakes if that counts for anything.
After tennis today, we had omelets for breakfast at the club. My husband had a side of small pancakes if that counts for anything.3 people like this
.
@much2say (55606)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Feb 19
Ah, we do know Groundhog Day, but in my area we don't really "celebrate" it (kids often learn about it in school, but even there they do not do anything special for it). I do like the idea of traditional crepes - the shape and color makes sense about having crepes on this day. But I don't like the thought of eating groundhog .
.2 people like this
@much2say (55606)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Feb 19
@LadyDuck Ah, so more winter it is. I have read that the groundhog says we are in it for an early spring - which would be typical normally, but I don't know because it's been it's been feeling like winter here with all this rain!
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
2 Feb 19
we usually have a Pancake Tuesday to mark the start of Lent, but Candlemas is largely ignored here
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
3 Feb 19
@LadyDuck that sounds really nice
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
3 Feb 19
@arthurchappell The fried Carnival pastries are really very good, but not so healthy.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51193)
• Canada
2 Feb 19
That is SO interesting.
And just as crazy as this sounds, I made up a few crepes yesterday, rolled them, and put them into the fridge. I actually ate a tiny one (I like them dry) for my morning coffee break at work today. So, I was totally in keeping with the tradition elsewhere in the world wasn't I?
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106271)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Feb 19
We wont. I dont even know what our groundhog said about winter
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106271)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Feb 19
@LadyDuck Each state here has their own and I dont know what ours said
1 person likes this
