La Chandeleur

La chandeleur

At its origin, the Chandeleur is the Celebration of the candles (“chandelles” in French), 40 days after Christmas, on 2nd February.

​Origins

Multiple Choice

Traditionally, Chandeleur is a celebration of

• pancakes

• candles

• light

• winter

Multiple Choice

On what date is Chandeleur celebrated?

• 2nd Feb

• 3rd Feb

• 1st Feb

Multiple Choice

How many days after Christmas is Chandeleur celebrated?

• 20

• 30

• 40

• 50

It commemorates the presentation of baby Jesus at the temple. (Christening) At that time, “crêpes” were given to the pilgrims.

Origins

The form and colour of the crêpes also calls to mind the sun, which is returning after its winter sleep.

Why crêpes?

Nowadays

“Chandeleur” is linked more with the tradition of making and eating lots of crêpes for this occasion. In France, it marks also the start of the Carnaval (Carnival period) that ends on “mardi gras” (fat Tuesday).

Multiple Choice

Chandeleur now marks the start of...

• Christmas

• Easter

• Summer

• Carnival

While making crêpes, French people may do a bit of fortune telling. It is indeed traditional to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other, and flip the crêpe into the air. If you manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, your family will be prosperous for the rest of the year. Alors, bonne chance et …. bon appétit!

​

Traditions

Multiple Select

If you catch the crepe in the pan,

• you will eat well

• you will have good luck

• you will make a pancake

• your family will be lucky with money

Proverbs

À la Chandeleur, l'hiver cesse ou reprend vigueur
On Candlemas, winter ends or strengthens
À la Chandeleur, le jour croît de deux heures
On Candlemas, the day grows by two hours
Chandeleur couverte, quarante jours de perte
Candlemas covered (in snow), forty days lost

Multiple Choice

Chandeleur is known as Candlemas in English

• True

• False