Pancake Day is an important day in
Western Christianity, which falls one day before Ash Wednesday, the first day
of Lent. This day falls in the month of February or March, and is also known as
Shrove Tuesday. As the name suggests, eating pancakes is a popular custom
related to celebration of this event, as it is about feasting. Pancakes are
eaten on this day in countries like Australia, UK, Canada and Ireland, where it
gets the popular name of Pancake Day. The day also marks the need for self
examination, which involves retrospection into oneself, for the need of
repentance and the amendments you need to make in your life, for which you
would need the help of god.
Since Pancake Day marks the last day
before the fasting season of Lent, it is involved in feasting before fasting,
as one has to give up meat for the coming forty days in which he has to
practice rigorous abstinence. Thus, before one commences the sacrifice and
fasting ritual, he can relish rich food on this last day. Mardi Gras is
literally translated as Fat Tuesday, meaning eating fatty food on this day
before the beginning of the season of Lent.
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| Happy Pancake Day 2015 |
What is Pancake Day (History)
The celebration of Pancake Day dates
back to ancient period, even before Christian Era. It is said that the change
of seasons was the result of a continual struggle between Jarito and the evil
spirits. Jarito was the God of spring and vegetation, while the evil spirits
represented cold and darkness, and people supported Jarito for bringing in the
spring season. This is why they celebrated the event of ushering in the spring,
by making and eating round and hot pancakes, as the symbols of sun, which
according to the popular belief, would give them its warmth and power. Another
practice they followed was placing the first pancake on the window, dedicating
it the spirits of their forefathers. At the end of the Shrovetide week, they
burnt the pancakes in a bonfire, in the form of sacrifice to pagan Gods. In
some European countries, Pancake Day was celebrated as a pagan holiday.
Traditions and Customs of Pancake Day
This day marks the beginning of the
fasting season of Lent on the first day, which is why people consume pancakes
on this day, as a combination of heavy and fatty foods such as milk, eggs and
sugar. The reason is that they would have to observe fasting for the coming 40
day days, during which they need to eat lighter foods and abstain from rich
meals like meat, eggs and dairy. People eat pancakes as meals on this day in
countries like UK, Canada and Australia, while small coins are baked in these
pancakes as a custom followed in Newfoundland. The person who gets the coin in
his pancake is considered lucky and would be blesses with a lot of wealth in
future. Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day is observed as a half holiday in Britain,
which also holds pancake races s a part of traditional celebration of this day.
People who participate in such a race rush through the streets, carrying pans
with pancakes on them, tossing them in air and then catching them while
running. Another custom is children going around in houses and asking for
pancakes, for which they are rewarded with sweets or oranges.
Whens Pancake Day in 2015
In 2015, the festive occasion of
Pancake Day falls on 17th February. This day is celebrated by Christians
in most of the European countries with the aim to keep this interesting
tradition alive. Free Pancake Days
Pancake Day Images, Wallpapers
Free Pancake Day images download from here.
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| Happy Pancake Day Image |
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| Happy Pancake Day Wallpaper |
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