How to Celebrate Candlemas

Last Updated: March 15, 2023 References

Candlemas is a celebration that takes place on February 2nd every year, halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox.^{[1]
X
Research source} It is a combination of Christian and pagan celebrations. In a Christian sense, it celebrates the purification of the Virgin Mary,^{[2]
X
Research source} while in a more general sense it celebrates the return of light and the end of winter in the northern hemisphere. Whatever your reason for celebrating, Candlemas is a great way to bring some light and joy into the cold winter months.

Steps

1
Understand the religious significance. For Christians, the event of Candlemas represents when the Virgin Mary presented Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem. For many Christians this is an important event, which is outlined in Luke 2:22-24.^{[3]
X
Research source} Christians may want to read this verse on Candlemas to know why it matters.
- There are other verses in the Bible which reference candles or light, which Christians may find relevant.
2
Light candles. As the name suggests, candles are an important feature of this holiday. Symbolically, candles represent the light in the dark winter months, which is slowly emerging again. Having lit candles is a good way of showing this. On top of this, it is believed that lighting a candle scares away evil spirits.^{[4]
X
Research source} Candles are often blessed at the church.^{[5]
X
Research source} You can even make your own candles to celebrate the holiday.
- Having a candle lit during church service is common.
- Some people believe that a candle that drips to one side when carried in a church represents death, but this is only a superstition.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Your church may invite you to bring in your own candles to be blessed for prayer for the rest of the year. The blessed candle can then be lit on other holy days.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- You can also donate candles to your local church.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Make pancakes. Pancakes aren't just relevant for Shrove Tuesday. Pancakes were originally made believing that Pope Gelasius I made wafers or flatbread to give to pilgrims in Rome. Another belief is that farmers would make pancakes with a gold coin wrapped inside, which would then be kept on top of a wardrobe until it was given to the first poor person the farmer encountered the following year. For this reason, making pancakes with a coin in one's hand is said to bring wealth and prosperity to the person.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- You may wish to make pancakes for the community in order to give something back to them.
- Crepes are the most common type of pancakes made on this day.
4
Make Mexican cuisine. In Mexico, Candlemas is called El Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day) and is traditionally celebrated by eating tamales, a corn dough filled with cheese, vegetables and meat, as well as having atole, a sweet hot drink.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Tamales can also have sweet fillings, such as fruit.
- Traditionally, whoever finds a figurine of a baby inside the King's Cake on Epiphany is held responsible for making the tamales on Candlemas.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
5
Go around houses holding lanterns. This tradition is common in Luxembourg where Candlemas is called Liichtmëssdag. The tradition is similar to Halloween, but instead of trick-or-treating, you sing songs and wish people health and happiness, earning treats in return.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Keep in mind that not everyone knows what Candlemas is, so may not be able to give money or sweets. Be polite regardless of what you get from it.
- Be careful when going around doors. Never enter someone's house and make sure have an adult with you at all times.
- There is no dress code for this activity, but it is recommended that you dress warm.
6
Recite proverbs. There are some proverbs that are said on Candlemas, especially in pagan celebration. Since Candlemas represents the end of the winter, many are related to that. The proverbs predict that if Candlemas Day is sunny, there are more winter days ahead, whereas if it's cloudy and cold, winter will be over soon.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Keep in mind that these are just superstitions and have no scientific standing.
The most common proverb is as follows:
"If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, winter will have another fight."
"If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, winter won’t come again."
7
Take down Christmas decorations. In the Eastern Orthodox church, the day of Candlemas traditionally represents the end of the Christmas season, and is when decorations, including the nativity scene, are taken down.^{[14]
X
Research source}^{[15]
X
Research source}
- This tradition is most common in Eastern Europe.
- A common superstition in some denominations is that if you didn't take your decorations down by the Twelfth Night (5th of January), you should take them down on Candlemas.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
8
Have a bonfire. If you have the resources, you can host your own bonfire to celebrate the occasion. You can eat Candlemas food around the fire and recite proverbs. Invite friends to also take part in the celebrations.