![]() Similar to la Galette de rois here in Quebec, this ‘King’s cake’ hides a little trinket, and – in Mexican tradition- whoever gets this trinket will host the dinner of El día de la Candelaria celebrated on February 2nd. It all starts on January 6th with la Rosca de Reyes (a sweet oval shaped bread flavored with orange blossom, and typically decorated with dried fruit to symbolize a crown’s jewels). Visit the unique corners of Mexico, and reward yourself with a vacation in a colonial city or in a breathtaking all-inclusive hotel overlooking the sea of Cancun such as The Pyramid at Grand Oasis.Last Sunday night, while most were enjoying nachos and chicken wings, we were partaking in a different type of celebration, one that involved tamales and hot chocolate… ‘El día de la Candelaria.’ If you wish to learn more about Mexican traditions, the best option is to visit a beautiful tourist destination, where you will get to live history firsthand. However, the Book of Vaikrá from the Jewish tradition states that when a woman gives birth, after 40 days she must visit a church in order to purify herself, in addition to thanking God for her son’s life, with a dove, which in time was changed for a candle, leading to what we know as the Candelaria Day. The sociologist and historian from the Acatlán Higher Studies Faculty, Arturo Cardoso states that the Candelaria Day in Mexico is a syncretism that involves pre-Hispanic traditions enriched by elements from the catholic and even the Jewish cultures.Īt the beginning of the 20 th Century, celebrating baby Jesus started gaining great popularity, probably due to the custom of dressing him with different attires. This time of abundance allowed people to savor the delicious tamales, prepared with corn dough and some other ingredients, like chicken, pork, or beef meat. As February started, the corn harvest was collected to prepare all kinds of Mexican typical dishes in fact, this grain has always been the cornerstone of this country’s feeding supply. Origin of the Candelaria Dayĭuring the viceroyalty period in Mexico, the celebration of Candelaria Day matched the beginning of the harvest. In appreciation for her son’s arrival, who came to the world lighting it up like a candle or a candela (in Spanish)… Therefore, therefore this celebration’s name. It is said that 40 days after Christmas, on February 2, the virgin went to church to purify herself, and to introduce baby Jesus to the priests. ![]() This is an easy-to-enjoy tradition, but… Do you know where does it come from? Meaning of the Candelaria Day The rosca de reyes’ trick is that inside it hides small baby figurines, which represent baby Jesus this way, those who find one of these figurines in their slice, are committed to buying tamales for everyone present, in order to enjoy during the Candelaria Day, which is celebrated on February 2. Relatives and friends get to choose which section of the cake they’ll cut, to savor accompanied by a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or milk. On the night of January 5, the Three Wise Men visit children to bring them gifts while they sleep, therefore on January 6, with the kids’ happiness, families celebrate with a slice of this dessert. ![]() This cake is savored at every home in the country, specifically on January 6. ![]() It is enough to have participated in a reunion where the traditional “ rosca de reyes” (ring-shaped cake) was cut. To enjoy the Mexican tradition of Candelaria Day, you don’t have to be a history expert. This festivity has been celebrated in Mexico for generations, and it’s a moment that brings families and friends together to enjoy this country’s typical culinary delights, but do you know what is Candelaria Day about? February 2nd, Candelaria Day ![]()
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