The Complete History of Candlemas

Unfortunately, not many Americans today know the meaning of Candlemas as it isn’t as commercialized as Christmas or Easter.

The holiday is derived from the Gospel of Luke and commemorates Mary’s purification and Christ’s presentation at the Temple.

Mary wasn’t the only woman to undergo purification after giving birth – it was an ancient Jewish custom. However, this day was special as Simeon proclaimed Jesus the Messiah and our Lord and Savior.

As the name suggests, the Candlemas celebration involves lighting candles. Candles symbolize Christ as the Light of the World. They are used in nearly every Christian mass but have especial importance on Candlemas.

Naturally, the celebrations comprise of other traditions, too, differing depending on the region.

For example, in some countries, Christians mark Christ’s presentation by eating pancakes; in others, people hold ceremonial processions or go caroling.

What Does Candlemas Celebrate?

The word “Candlemas” may not tell much about the meaning of this holiday.

But Candlemas is also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary or the Feast of the Holy Encounter, and these names can give us a hint about the holiday’s purpose.

Candlemas commemorates Christ’s presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem and Mary’s purification forty days after she gave birth.

Presenting a newborn forty days after their birth at the Holy Temple as a sign of gratitude to God was a widely observed Jewish custom.

Candlemas Origins

The roots of Candlemas stem from the fourth century AD, making it one of the oldest holidays in Christianity.

The first Candlemas celebrations were held in Jerusalem by bishops Methodius of Patara, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom.

Candlemas is celebrated on February 2, precisely forty days after the Christmas season ends with Epiphany. However, Eastern Christians, who still follow the Gregorian calendar, celebrate Candlemas on February 15.

In Orthodox Christianity, Candlemas is considered one of the twelve Great Feasts, along with Christmas Day and Easter.

The reason for such a date is that, following Jewish belief, women were considered unclean after giving birth.

Therefore, they weren’t allowed to worship God in the Holy Temple for forty days after giving birth to a boy and for sixty days after giving birth to a girl.

Once this period passed, women were brought to the Temple for purification and to thank God for the child. After purification, women were considered clean again and could take part in religious ceremonies.

This custom stems from the Gospel of Luke, Leviticus 12, Old Testament. It states that a woman who needed to be purified had to present God with a burnt offering, usually a lamb, a sin offering, a dove, or a pigeon.

Poor families who could not afford a lamb had to present two doves or two pigeons. Mary and Joseph were poor, so they chose the latter.

The Gospel of Luke also narrates about Christ’s presentation at the Temple as the first-born male in the family.

Based on the Gospel, at the Temple, Mary and Joseph were met by Simeon, a just and devout man who had seen a prophecy by Holy Spirit telling him he would not die until he encounters Christ.

So, Simeon, who awaited the arrival of Messiah, took Jesus in his arms and proclaimed him our Lord and Savior.

He said that Christ is the light that came to the world to dispel sin and darkness and blessed the Holy Family. People light up candles to commemorate this very moment.

The word “Candlemas,” also spelled as “Candlemass,” is derived from Old English “candelmæsse.” It’s made from the words “candle,” indicating that Jesus is the light of the world, and “mass,” meaning Eucharist service.

Pope Gelasius I, who lived in the fifth century AD, is accountable for the popularization of Candlemas. The holiday started spreading outside of Jerusalem, to the Roman Empire, and further to the West during his lifetime.

But, like most Christian holidays, Candlemas may also have some links with paganism.

For example, historians draw connections between Candlemas and the pagan Festival of Light, which marked the midpoint of winter – halfway between winter solstice, celebrated at the same time as modern Christmas and spring equinox.

During that festival, people also used to light candles to scare away evil spirits. But, of course, the same dates and traditions may be just a coincidence.

After all, candles have always had a deep meaning in numerous religions around the globe and have been used in nearly every ritual.

Candlemas Traditions in Europe

People in Central Europe traditionally visit the church on Candlemas to bless candles they then light up to symbolize Jesus. They also listen to Gospels and, in some churches, hold ceremonial candle processions.

However, lighting up candles and visiting the church aren’t the only customs related to Candlemas.

Most Christians take down their Christmas decorations on or after Epiphany, but some do it only on Candlemas. So why not prolong the holiday season?

In France, Belgium, and Swiss Romandy, people celebrate Candlemas eating crepes. The tradition dates to the fifth century AD and was introduced by Pope Gelasius I, who helped popularize Candlemas in Europe.

Crepes are chosen for their shape ad color, representing the sun and symbolizing Jesus’ light and the soon arrival of spring.

At the time when the custom appeared, crepe cooking involved a specific ritual. People flipped crepes in the air using the right hand and holding a coin in the left hand. This was believed to grant prosperity for the upcoming year.

In Luxembourg, Candlemas celebrations are focused on children. They roam the streets holding lanterns, singing traditional carols, and asking for some money or sweets in return.

Scandinavian Candlemas traditions aren’t much different from those in the rest of Europe, but the celebration date differs.

Instead of celebrating on February 2, Scandinavians commemorate Christ’s presentation and Mary’s purification on the first Sunday of February.

In Eastern Europe, Candlemas is marked with an all-night vigil held on the holiday’s eve. Then, in the morning, people visit the church to listen to prayers and bless candles and water.

Blessed water can then be used throughout the entire year for a multitude of purposes.

Some British farmers believe that the Candlemas weather can predict the weather for the upcoming weeks.

If Candlemas is fair and bright, winter will stay for some more weeks, and if Candlemas is rainy, winter will soon go away. This superstition is very similar to American Groundhog Day belief.

In some UK towns, women observe a 15th-century tradition of pancake races.

They run with a skillet in their hands to church, flipping the pancake three times during the race; whoever arrives first and manages not to drop the pancake wins.

Candlemas Traditions in North America

Candlemas made it to America with Pennsylvanian German settlers. Today, it’s celebrated just like in the rest of the world, by lighting candles and visiting the church.

The candles are traditionally white, as the liturgical color white symbolizes joy and Christ himself. Thus, Candlemas celebrations are always cheerful.

In the US, February 2 is also known as Groundhog Day. Legends tell that if a groundhog emerging from its hole on this day sees its shadow, winter weather will last for six more weeks. The pancake tradition is also strong in some US regions.

As for Canada, the pancake tradition has mostly died out since pancakes are a typical breakfast dish in the region all year round.

However, Canadians cook Cretons de la Chandeleur, a dish made with potted meat flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Candlemas Traditions in Southern America

In Puerto Rico, Candlemas celebrations include a ceremonial procession, where a statue of the Virgin of Candelaria representing the Holy Virgin Mary is carried of the shoulders.

Those who don’t carry the statue follow the procession with lit candles until they reach the church. In the evening, people feast and light large bonfires.

In Mexico, the traditional Candlemas feast must include tamales, a dough dish steamed in banana leaves. Tamales are also eaten on Christmas. Thus, Mexicans closely link celebrations of Epiphany and Candlemas.

On Epiphany, Mexicans make the King’s Cake, hiding a small Jesus figurine or a bean inside it.

Whoever finds it is considered the child’s godfather responsible for dressing up a doll representing Christ on Candlemas. The doll is traditionally dressed in rich attire and blessed at the church.

Candlemas is one of the largest festivals in Peru. It involves singing, dancing, and dressing up in bright traditional costumes and masks.

The festival is so widely celebrated that it’s comparable to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro in the number of participants. The Virgin of Candelaria is also the patron saint of Puno, a city in Peru.

Candlemas Traditions in Asia

Virgin of Candelaria is the patron of the Western Visayas region in the Philippines. As the Philippines is the only prevalent Christian Asian country, with over 85% of a Roman Catholic population, that’s no wonder.

Same as in the rest of the world, Philippian Candlemas celebrations involve lighting candles and evening feasts.

The holiday isn’t celebrated anywhere else in Asia since it has merely religious significance and thus doesn’t represent commercial interest like Christmas or New Year.