Candlemas Day

Candlemas Day is one of the most popular traditions of the Catholic religion in Mexico and is celebrated every February 2. The dynamics of this celebration begins with the famous festival of the Rosca de Reyes; Those who find a doll representing the Child God in their bagel slice will be in charge of buying or making the tamales for Candelaria.

The celebration of Candlemas Day in Mexico as we know it today is a syncretism between the Catholic religion and pre-Hispanic culture. Within the Catholic faith, the purification of the Virgin Mary is celebrated after the birth of the child God, who took him to the church to do this ritual just 40 days after delivery, that is, on February 2.

In Mexico, in addition to this Judeo-Christian tradition, another pre-Hispanic custom is associated with the Aztec culture. And February 2 marked the beginning of the new year in the Mexican calendar Tláloc, Chalchiuhtlicue and Quetzalcóatl. This is how the beginning of the agricultural cycle was observed, in which sacrifices were offered to the gods and food was purified. Do you think it’s a coincidence?

Some of the names by which this festivity is known are The Presentation of the Lord,The Fiesta de Las Candelas or The Fiesta de La

Luz. And it is that, in the Christian tradition, Jesus represents the Light that came to illuminate humanity as if it were a candle or candle. Hence, in Mexico it is known by the name of Candelaria.

This is the culminating date in a “marathon” of New Year’s celebrations in Mexico, eagerly awaited by many who want to sit at the table and eat tamales.

Why do we eat tamales?

A large part of the offerings that the Aztecs offered on that date were made of corn, which is why in our days we celebrate by eating delicious tamales and atole. So if you had to put the tamales, think that it is a symbol of abundance and good wishes for the people with whom you share.

The tamale is one of the representative dishes of Mexican cuisine. A wide variety of tamales are produced throughout the country whose names depend on the materials or seasonings with which they are made: sweet, red, green, mole, corn... or the region where they originate: coastal, Oaxacan, from Veracruz and a long etcetera.

Dress the Child God

At the end of the December dates, the naked child is left in the manger until the day of candlelight in which he gets up and dresses to present him in the churches.

If it is the first time that you will dress your god child, it is necessary to visit the various markets of the city, there you will find the necessary elements to create his outfit.

Take into account that the most common consists of pants, a scarf and a hat; there are also other more elaborate ones that add a diaper or shoes.