Do you really know why you eat crepes at Chandeleur? Discover the secret behind this tradition!
It's almost February 2, and that means Chandeleur (at least in France)! It's the perfect time to enjoy delicious, golden crêpes and pancakes. While this gourmet ritual is eagerly awaited, few really know its origins. Why do we associate this traditional holiday with pancakes? Chandeleur is much more than just an excuse to feast. We tell you all about the fascinating history of this celebration and why crêpes have become the emblem of the holiday?
A primarily religious festival
Candlemas, celebrated on February 2, takes its name from the Latin word "candelaria", meaning "festival of candles". This celebration has its roots in several ancient traditions. In ancient Rome, the Lupercalia, pagan purification festivals, were held at this time to welcome spring. With the arrival of Christianity, these festivities were transformed into a religious festival commemorating the presentation of Jesus in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary.
So why crepes?
Why crêpes? Their round shape and golden color are reminiscent of the sun, a symbol of light and prosperity. In the heart of winter, this association with the sun heralded the coming of fine weather and the end of long, cold nights.
Pancake-making also had an economic and agricultural dimension. February marked the period when surplus flour from the previous harvest was used up, just before the start of spring sowing. Making crêpes was a way of avoiding waste, while hoping for abundant harvests in the coming year.
An enduring tradition
Chandeleur is not just about making pancakes, it's also surrounded by popular beliefs. One well-known custom is to blow up the first pancake with a coin in the hand. This practice was thought to bring prosperity and good luck for the coming year.
Today, Chandeleur has become a convivial occasion, an opportunity to get together with family and friends over delicious sweet or savoury crêpes. This tradition, though detached from its religious or agricultural origins for many, continues to perpetuate the idea of sharing and abundance, true to the spirit of the festival.
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