Twelth Night

ElizabethB

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Today is Twelth Night. According to Christian calendars it is the official end of the Christmas season. My Mother still leaves her Christmas tree up until January 5th. In south Louisiana Twelth Night is also the start of the Mardi Gras Season. There is a street party/dance in down town tonight to celebrate the beginning of the Mardi Gras season. OK - it does not take much to warrant a big party. Let the good times roll!
 
In the UK, whilst Twelfth Night is 5th January according to the Church of England, most people take down Christmas decorations etc on 6th January. Some other religions in the UK celebrate Christmas on different dates, and Twelfth Night can be as late as 17th or 18th January. Apparently in south west England, Twelfth Night is still 17th January, the traditional date according to the Julian calendar. Most people I know don't celebrate Twelfth Night with a party.
 
There's 'Little Christmas" on the 6th.

Little Christmas

January 6th or Little Christmas is a very interesting date on the calendar.

Traditionally Yule ended on January 6th. The Christian Calendar celebrates "Epiphany" on January 6th also. Nollaig na mBan (Women's Christmas) or "Twelfth Night" closed out the Season! It was not unusual for another turkey to be cooked on the feast of the Ephiphany. During my childhood, this was the day Christmas decorations were taken down. It was considered unlucky to take them down before that date.

Seed cakes are often associated with the twelfth day of Christmas, althought it would not have been unusual to bake seed cakes for other dates on the Christmas calendar, including New Years Day and St. Stephen's Day (December 26th).

January 6th was also the day that women were given leave to vacate the house, usually in groups, and relieved of all household duties. Hence its name, "Nollaig na mBan" or Women's Christmas, since it was a time for women to rest.

In the Christian Orthodox tradition, Christmas is often still celebrated on January 6th. This is due to the old Julian calendar, when Chrismas falls on this date. In many countries around the world, this is the day to exchange gift for the holidays.
 
In the Christian Orthodox tradition, Christmas is often still celebrated on January 6th. This is due to the old Julian calendar, when Chrismas falls on this date. In many countries around the world, this is the day to exchange gift for the holidays.
Also, the Eastern Orthodox and Ethiopian Christmas falls on 7th January.
 
According to the Gospel of Matthew, the 3 Kings which refer to the Bibilical Magi, also known as the 3 Wise Men:

Baltasar = African
Gaspar = Asian
Melchor = European

These men were "hierophants" who brought gifts of myrrh, incense and gold to the Infant of Nazarath and his parents on January 6th, the Epiphany.

In Spain, in 1866, this day had beome the official day to celebrate with the "Calbagata de Los Reyes" ( national Parade) and an official national holiday .. The most important holiday in Spain .. Papa Noel or Santa Klaus is called Noche Buena and this is a reunión of dear ones and family - who have a large fish dinner called La Vigilia ..

It is celebrated in a similar way to Christmas, however, gifts are given on this day verses the 25th of December and a large lunch is served with a cake called El Roscon de Los Reyes ( a large ring prepared with bread flour, unbleached flour, and filled with whipped cream and topped with glazed fruits and confectioner´s sugar ) .. The translation is " the ring of the 3 Kings " ..

In France ( tart with a Crown ) and Italy ( Befana the good witch ) the festivities are similar however, with nuances ..
 
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According to the Gospel of Matthew, the 3 Kings which refer to the Bibilical Magi, also known as the 3 Wise Men:

Baltasar = African
Gaspar = Asian
Melchor = European

These men were "hierophants" who brought gifts of myrrh, incense and gold to the Infant of Nazarath and his parents on January 6th, the Epiphany.

In Spain, in 1866, this day had beome the official day to celebrate with the "Calbagata de Los Reyes" ( national Parade) and an official national holiday .. The most important holiday in Spain .. Papa Noel or Santa Klaus is called Noche Buena and this is a reunión of dear ones and family - who have a large fish dinner called La Vigilia ..

It is celebrated in a similar way to Christmas, however, gifts are given on this day verses the 25th of December and a large lunch is served with a cake called El Roscon de Los Reyes ( a large ring prepared with bread flour, unbleached flour, and filled with whipped cream and topped with glazed fruits and confectioner´s sugar ) .. The translation is " the ring of the 3 Kings " ..

In France ( tart with a Crown ) and Italy ( Befana the good witch ) the festivities are similar however, with nuances ..


@MypinchofItaly

Thank you Dear and have a lovely evening ..

Getting late ( 23.30 ) and so I shall be signing off in a minute or two ..
 
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