|
Candelaria is celebrated on the 40th day alter Christmas (February 2nd). This
religious celebration marks the end of the Christmas festivities observing the
birth of Christ. Candelaria commemorates the day when Christ was presented in
the temple by his parents, following Jewish practice.
Mexican families celebrate by "raising" the Christ Child figure from the
nativity scene. The Christ figures and icons are also brought to the church to
be blessed. Finally the nativity set is put away until the beginning of the next
season’s Christmas celebrations.
Some cultures marked this day as the beginning of the new year, and
traditionally brought their seed for the coming year's planting. Also candles
are also brought to the church – from this tradition comes the name "Candelaria"
from the Spanish word for candle "candela".
If you got the "monito" the last Three Kings' Day in the "Rosca de Reyes", the
traditions holds that you must invite your friends to eat atole and tamales this
day.
In San Miguel de Allende, there is an annual sale of plants and flowers in
Parque Juarez, with hundred of vendors from all parts of Mexico.
|
