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January 6th is celebrated around the world by Christians as a religious holiday known as Epiphany orTheophany, which translates from the Greek as the 'vision of God' signifying the presentation of Jesus, the son of God, to the Gentiles. Now I'm not about to get into a religious post here but having traveled a little over the years I'm reminded of derivations of the celebrations of January 6th I've experienced which I'd like to share.
Back in my native England January 6th is known as the Twelfth Night, ie the twelth day after Christmas, and has been celebrated from the Middle Ages onwards by 'mumming'and the 'wassail'. Mumming was the performance of folk plays, by mummers (semi professional actors) either in the street or going house to house. It was also a tradition to give the first performance of new plays in theatres on this day, for example Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Wassailing was the singing of carols by groups of indivuals visiting house to house but also included singing carols in apple orchards as a form of blessing for the coming year's harvest.The wassailers often quenched their thirst and staved off the cold between songs by drinking spiced hot cider from a 'wassailing bowl'. On a more practical note I remember that my father insisted that Christmas decorations be removed from the home on the Twelfth Night to signify that the festivities were over and it was back to work! This ending of the festive season links back to the tradition of putting out the embers of the burning Christmas Yule log which would be allowed to smoulder for 12 days from Chrismas onwards. Charcoal from the cooled embers would be saved and used to rekindle the Yule log at the next Christmas festivities.
In Glamorganshire, Wales, another custom on the Twelfth night was to bake a massive bread cake to divide up and share between local friends and family. The baked cake was initially divided into three pieces, representing Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and the Three Wise Men (the Magi). It would often have ring concealed in the bake and whoever received the piece of cake with the ring was elected King or Queen to watch over the day's celebrations.
I lived in Cyprus for a while and there the locals celebrated 'Phota' (translated as Lights). This festival was based on a Blessing of the Waters, ie the sea, and the lifting of a temporary ban placed on sailing on the rough winter waves which are typical during the festive season when it was thought that mischievous 'goblin' type sea spirits would try to tempt Christian sailors away from their faith. The festival involved tossing a ceremonial cross into the cold waters which was then retrieved as a symbol of good luck by the first brave soul to dive in and grab it.
Moving on into Europe I was once in Germany for the 6th and was treated to the sight of a close harmony singing quartet known as Sternsinger (Star singers), who travelled house to house, dressed up as the Three Wise Men, with the leader carrying a star on a long broom pole. In return for singing each household would offer them small gifts or donations to a local charity.
Finally, in my home of Mexico, January 6th, whilst also being signaled as the Epiphany on church calendars, is more commonly known as El Dia de Los Reyes (the Day of the Kings) - the day the Magi deliver gifts to the baby Jesus. Before the onslaught of Christmas commercialism from western cultures Mexican children would write their Christmas letters before the 6th to the Magi asking for gifts. On the night of the 5th figurines of the Magi would be placed in the home's nativity scene and the children would leave out an old pair of shoes, often with a little hay stuffed inside and a treat of a plate of cookies and milk for the Magi and their transport. In the morning of the 6th lucky children would awake to find presents placed under the shoes. Later in the day a large baked sweet bread ring decorated with candied fruits, called the 'Rosca de los Reyes, (The Ring of the Kings) would be shared between family and friends. In a similar tradition to the Welsh cake mentioned earlier the bread dough would included hidden in the bake a small model of Jesus. Whoever pulled out the figure would be required to host a party for the same group of people on February 2nd, Candlemas day, and would be expected to provide as food Mexican Tamales - a favourite steamed savoury or sweet cornmeal dish wrapped in corn cob outer leaves or banana leaves.
Now I'm sure that amongst our forum members around the world there are other traditions for January 6th to add to those I've experienced so how about you share them in this post.
And for a couple of my less scrupulous buddies let me just add that cracking open a six-pack doesn't count!!!
Looking forward to any variations on this theme and to all I wish a slightly belated but no less sincere Happy and Prosperous New Year
Back in my native England January 6th is known as the Twelfth Night, ie the twelth day after Christmas, and has been celebrated from the Middle Ages onwards by 'mumming'and the 'wassail'. Mumming was the performance of folk plays, by mummers (semi professional actors) either in the street or going house to house. It was also a tradition to give the first performance of new plays in theatres on this day, for example Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Wassailing was the singing of carols by groups of indivuals visiting house to house but also included singing carols in apple orchards as a form of blessing for the coming year's harvest.The wassailers often quenched their thirst and staved off the cold between songs by drinking spiced hot cider from a 'wassailing bowl'. On a more practical note I remember that my father insisted that Christmas decorations be removed from the home on the Twelfth Night to signify that the festivities were over and it was back to work! This ending of the festive season links back to the tradition of putting out the embers of the burning Christmas Yule log which would be allowed to smoulder for 12 days from Chrismas onwards. Charcoal from the cooled embers would be saved and used to rekindle the Yule log at the next Christmas festivities.
In Glamorganshire, Wales, another custom on the Twelfth night was to bake a massive bread cake to divide up and share between local friends and family. The baked cake was initially divided into three pieces, representing Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and the Three Wise Men (the Magi). It would often have ring concealed in the bake and whoever received the piece of cake with the ring was elected King or Queen to watch over the day's celebrations.
I lived in Cyprus for a while and there the locals celebrated 'Phota' (translated as Lights). This festival was based on a Blessing of the Waters, ie the sea, and the lifting of a temporary ban placed on sailing on the rough winter waves which are typical during the festive season when it was thought that mischievous 'goblin' type sea spirits would try to tempt Christian sailors away from their faith. The festival involved tossing a ceremonial cross into the cold waters which was then retrieved as a symbol of good luck by the first brave soul to dive in and grab it.
Moving on into Europe I was once in Germany for the 6th and was treated to the sight of a close harmony singing quartet known as Sternsinger (Star singers), who travelled house to house, dressed up as the Three Wise Men, with the leader carrying a star on a long broom pole. In return for singing each household would offer them small gifts or donations to a local charity.
Finally, in my home of Mexico, January 6th, whilst also being signaled as the Epiphany on church calendars, is more commonly known as El Dia de Los Reyes (the Day of the Kings) - the day the Magi deliver gifts to the baby Jesus. Before the onslaught of Christmas commercialism from western cultures Mexican children would write their Christmas letters before the 6th to the Magi asking for gifts. On the night of the 5th figurines of the Magi would be placed in the home's nativity scene and the children would leave out an old pair of shoes, often with a little hay stuffed inside and a treat of a plate of cookies and milk for the Magi and their transport. In the morning of the 6th lucky children would awake to find presents placed under the shoes. Later in the day a large baked sweet bread ring decorated with candied fruits, called the 'Rosca de los Reyes, (The Ring of the Kings) would be shared between family and friends. In a similar tradition to the Welsh cake mentioned earlier the bread dough would included hidden in the bake a small model of Jesus. Whoever pulled out the figure would be required to host a party for the same group of people on February 2nd, Candlemas day, and would be expected to provide as food Mexican Tamales - a favourite steamed savoury or sweet cornmeal dish wrapped in corn cob outer leaves or banana leaves.
Now I'm sure that amongst our forum members around the world there are other traditions for January 6th to add to those I've experienced so how about you share them in this post.
And for a couple of my less scrupulous buddies let me just add that cracking open a six-pack doesn't count!!!
Looking forward to any variations on this theme and to all I wish a slightly belated but no less sincere Happy and Prosperous New Year
, later it will be Vodka or Whisky and coke (Yup not a whisky purist <shame>) Friday nights were made for it. But seeing as the decorations are now safely stored away again, and I have been up and down the loft ladder goodness knows how many times this past couple hours, I reckon I will need a drink.
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