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Candlemas Day |
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DÃa de la Candelaria (Day of the Candles, Candle Mass or commonly referred to as Candlemas Day) occurs on February 2nd each year, exactly forty (40) days after Christmas and the birth of Jesus. In many of the Christian cultures, this celebration is actually recognizing three (3) occasions which are the presentation of the child Jesus, Jesus' first entry into the temple and the celebration of the Virgin Mary's purification (which was a forty day period after giving birth in biblical times).
Here in Mexico, as many holidays and events, the celebration is a fusion of pre-Hispanic cultures and Catholic beliefs (boy, did those missionaries know how to create a marketing blitz or what). In some regions of Mexico, this date marks the beginning of the year and is why the indigenous groups "bless" the seeds that will be used during harvest time. They would also "bless" candles which according to traditions can ward off evils and illnesses of people. So you will find many, many candles burning on this day all over in many homes, businesses and churches.
February also 2nd marks the mid-way point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. This may come from an old Pagan rite, since February 2nd has long been thought to be a marker or predictor of the weather to come. For those of us from the United States, this celebration is called Groundhog Day, but back to Mexico...
An extremely important custom in Mexico is the image of the Christ child, a Niño Dios. Often a figurine is used which many times is a family heirloom that has been passed down from generation to generation in the family. The Niño Dios is first brought out on Christmas day and placed into the crib in the manger of the nativity scene. Then on Candlemas Day, the baby Jesus is "clothed" in preparation for his presentation. You will find many shops and stalls in Cozumel that have clothing for the Niño Dios at this time of the year. The oldest tradition is to use hand crocheted garments, which are very popular in addition to each year, new and different clothing styles comes to market just for the Niño Dios.
Finally, as in all traditions in Cozumel and Mexico, there is a feast (we can always find an excuse for good food here in Cozumel)! The traditional food are the "tamales" and the "atole". which is a hot drink made from corn hominy flour that is mixed with water, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and sometimes chocolate. Some traditions have the recipient or recipients of the plastic effigy that was hidden inside the Rosca de Reyes (3 Kings bread) on January 6th as the hosts of the party and meal on Candlemas Day. This final meal brings a close to the celebration of the birth of Christ that started on December 16th and has run to Candlemas Day on February 2nd and it is traditional to then take down the nativity scene after Candlemas has been celebrated.
So if you are visiting Cozumel on Candlemas Day, you will most likely see many Niño Dios around town, in churches and paraded down the streets! There will be lots of candles lit , tons of tamales that you must sample (try all the varieties and flavors) and if you nave never tasted "atole", this is the time to have a sample (we suggest you add a little nip of Kahlua to it to make it "just right")! Happy Candlemas Day - Feliz DÃa de la Candelaria!!!
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Copyright 2000 - 2024 Sherri Davis, All Rights Reserved. Contributors retain the copyright to their work. Please do not take art or written content without permission. Other graphics and reference materials are used and attributed as per the Fair Use Provision of The Copyright Act and individual terms of use.
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