Crêpe Day

In France, Candlemas translates to La Chandeleur, and is also known as Crêpe Day as well as Fête de la Lumière and Jour des crêpes, which translate to Festival of Light and Pancake Day. While Crêpe Day is rooted in Candlemas, the Christian holiday that takes place 40 days after Christmas, it also is influenced by a pre-Christian holiday that celebrates the harvest and the midway point of winter. It is believed crêpes became associated with Candlemas after Pope Gelasius I gave out pancakes to pilgrims arriving in Rome during it. Besides being observed in France, Crêpe Day is regularly celebrated in Belgium and in Romandy, the French-speaking region of Switzerland.

Crêpes are thin pancakes made from batter consisting of eggs, flour, butter, and milk or water. Traditionally made with buckwheat flour, the consensus is they were first made in Brittany, France. Crêpe Day is celebrated in France by making crêpes, which are said to symbolize prosperity. There is a tradition when making them of holding a coin in one's writing hand and the crêpe pan in the other, and of flipping the crêpe in the air. If the crêpe is caught it signals prosperity for the family for the rest of the year. Others in France put a coin on top of the crêpe while cooking it to bring luck. The round shape of crêpes is said to represent the circle of life and the sun, with the sun symbolizing the return of spring after the cold of winter. It may only be February 2, but this isn't the only holiday on the date that is associated with looking ahead to warmer days.

How to Observe Crêpe Day

Make crêpes! Make them while holding a coin in your dominant hand and the crêpe pan in your other. If you flip the crêpe in the air and catch it, your family will have prosperity for the rest of the year! You could also bring luck by putting a coin on top of the crêpe while cooking it. If you don't feel like cooking, have some crêpes at a French restaurant, or even in France if you are able to. You could eat crêpes all day. Have sweet crêpes for breakfast and dessert, and have savory crêpes for lunch and dinner.

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