Introduction to Día de la Candelaria
The holidays are a time for food, family, and joyful festivities. While in the U.S., the winter holidays may wind down by December, in Mexico there is a special day that marks the end of Christmas. The Día de la Candelaria, also known as Candlemas Day, is widely celebrated. This celebration is important to Mexican culture as it melds Catholic Christian practices with pre-Hispanic Aztec traditions. Every year on February 2nd, families gather to commemorate Jesus entering the temple in Jerusalem for the first time. Infinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (IIA) believes in the power of community and cultural celebration to unite us all. Follow along as we dive into the rich history behind Candlemas Day.
Origins and history
What is February 2nd in Mexico and why is El Día de la Candelaria celebrated? Candlemas Day is one of the oldest Christian celebrations and dates to at least the fourth century in ancient Jerusalem. Also referred to as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ or the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, February 2nd honors the day that Mary brought baby Jesus into the Temple in Jerusalem for the first time. The significance of this date cannot be overlooked, since according to Jewish law, a woman is considered ‘impure’ until 40 days after childbirth. Thus, Mary had to wait 40 days after December 25th, to enter the temple to be purified and have her baby blessed.
Candlemas Day is typically celebrated with both corn delicacies. Corn, or maize, was incredibly important to the Aztec people as it was believed to be the element that the Gods used to create life. On the Aztec calendar, February 2nd marked the beginning of the planting season and was an occasion identified by special celebrations asking the gods for rain and a bountiful harvest.
Cultural and religious significance
Candlemas Day is celebrated culturally and religiously all over Mexico. One of the most popular ways to participate in El Día de la Candelaria can be traced back to January 6th, or the Day of The Three Kings. On this day, families gather and eat a cake known as a Rosca or Roscón that contains a small figure of baby Jesus inside. According to tradition, whoever receives the slice with the baby Jesus figure inside must throw a tamales party on February 2nd, Candlemas Day. Typically, families and friends will enjoy their piping hot tamales with a pre-Hispanic beverage called atole. Atole is a warm drink made from masa harina, piloncillo, cinnamon, and vanilla and is traditionally enjoyed during the wintertime. In more religious communities Candlemas Day can also be honored with special mass services to commemorate the feast day. Joyous gatherings such as Candlemas Day provide important opportunities for family connection and strengthening community bonds.
Traditional customs and celebrations
Specific traditions, customs and foods that are commonly associated with Candlemas Day include:
- Tamales and atole - Tamales are a typical Meso-American dish made of masa (corn dough) filled with meats, cheese, and other fillings that are wrapped in a corn husk and steamed. Together with atole, these dishes represent a link to Mexico’s past as they have been prepared by indigenous cultures for thousands of years. Making tamales is also a communal and time-consuming activity that brings together friends and families.
- Dressing baby Jesus figurines - Another beloved custom of Candlemas Day, especially in more religious areas is for families to own and dress up a doll-sized version of baby Jesus, also known as Niño Dios or Christ Child. First, baby Jesus will be placed in the Nativity scene on Christmas Eve, next, he will receive gifts on Three Kings Day. Lastly, on El Día de la Candelaria, families will dress up their baby Jesus and bring Him to church, reenacting His original presentation.
- Community processions and church visits - It is also common practice for families to attend mass or visit their local church on this day. Certain churches or basilicas may even hold processions in which the community can take part. Participants in these processions may wear traditional clothes and carry candles, statues of saints, and images of the Virgin Mary.
Symbolism and regional variations
The symbolism behind the warm glow of the candles of Candlemas Day is twofold. Candles symbolize light, hope, and protection. Their presence is a representation of both the Virgin Mary’s purity and Jesus’s ability to illuminate the world.
Candlemas Day is celebrated across Mexico and depending on the region you may encounter unique customs such as:
- Bull runs and local feasting in Tlacotalpan, located in the state of Veracruz. Tlacotalpan community members also float the Virgin’s image down the Papaloapan River.
- In Mexico City, people head to the small neighborhood called La Candelaria in the southern part of the Coyoacan borough to celebrate.
- Many devout revelers make the pilgrimage to San Juan de los Lagos in Jalisco, which is home to a basilica of the same name. People from all over the country flock there to take part in church services and a city-wide celebration.
- In Oaxaca, residents take to the streets in festive garb and carry an elaborate candelabra to be used for a special rite of the blessing of candles used in sacred liturgies.
Día de la Candelaria’s importance in modern times
Today, families and loved ones all over Latin America come together on February 2nd to say goodbye to the Christmas season and preserve an important part of their cultural heritage. While widely celebrated in Mexico, Candlemas celebrations can also be found under other names in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. Holidays like Candlemas Day provide a bridge between the past and present and allow communities to stay connected to our roots. Whether you’ve been blessed by the baby Jesus toy in your Rosca or are taking part in a Candeleria mass, this special day offers a unique opportunity to engage in the beautiful traditions of the Hispanic community.
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