Candlemas

(aka Ypopanti domini/Purificato Beate Marie (Hypapante, Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary). the day of the 2nd) [The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple; Groundhog's Day]

This page was created by Marc Carlson
It was last edited 9 June 2004

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas bring clouds an rain,
Go, Winter, and come not again.

Interpretations

• This feast commemorates the day that, in accordance to Jewish Law, the Virgin Mary went to the Temple in Jerusalem to be purified 40 days after childbirth, and presented her son Jesus to God as her firstborn (according to Luke 2:22-38).  The Presentation is a modern term for this holiday, probably denoting the lessening of the importance of Mary in the Catholic Community.  In the Greek Orthodox Church, the holiday is Hypapante (or "meeting"), referring to the meeting between Jesus' introduction while in the Temple to the aged Simeon.
• The feast of the purification of the Virgin Mary is celebrated with the lighting of large number of candles.
• It is one of the Scottish quarter-days.

Problems

• The connection with Groundhogs day seems fairly clear, although that is more based on German traditions, usually involving bears and badgers.