The Epiphany comes at night
January is also approaching and with this month comes the Epifania that “all parties takes away”. One of the most famous traditions for January 6, also called the feast of the Epiphany, is to receive candy and chocolates of all kinds, as well as sweet charcoal. Where does this custom come from? Let’s discover together the origins of the feast of the Epiphany!
The legend of the Epiphany
The feast of the Epiphany has very ancient origins: it is not known exactly when the folk tradition was born even if there are those who say that it could date back to the tenth century BC but still there are not enough sources to affirm it with certainty. Surely the figure of the vecchina has origins in the pagan culture: most likely it was the representation of nature that, like an old woman with ruined clothes, prepares to give way to a new natural cycle.
Later the Romans integrated previous pagan rites and identified the Epiphany with the goddess Diana: it is said that in the twelve nights following the winter solstice of the female figures flew on the fields as a sign propitiatory for the harvest, driven by the goddess Diana and this is the idea of a woman flying over a broom.
With the advent of the Catholic Church in the period of the Early Middle Ages, the figure of the Epiphany assumed traits similar to those of a witch, a magical and cruel figure, as a sign of condemnation of the pagan propitiatory rites.
Subsequently, the Epiphany was “reintegrated” into the Catholic tradition thanks to an old legend: it is said that on the way of the Magi to the hut of Jesus, they met an old woman to whom they asked directions.
She was invited to join them but refused; after a short time she reconsidered and decided to prepare a bag full of gifts to give to Baby Jesus but she could no longer find the way. It is said that he decided to give the gifts to the other children, hoping to find the Savior.
Currently according to Catholic tradition, the figure of the old lady is also associated with that of Saint Lucia who gave gifts to children, as did Saint Nicholas before the advent of Santa Claus. It is therefore a “grandmother” understanding and full of attention for children even if she is often represented as an old grumpy as she is strict with those who want to make fun of her and be smart in life.
One thing little known to most is that the feast of the Epiphany to which the figure of the Epiphany is associated has spread first among the regions and then throughout the Italian peninsula, unlike other countries where it is not celebrated.
The iconography of the Epiphany and the famous nursery rhyme
One of the curiosities related to January 6 is that the name “Befana” comes from the Greek “Epiphany”, which means “manifestation”, “apparition” which symbolically represents the recurrence of the appearance of the child Jesus to all humanity, represented by the three Magi Kings. In addition, it is said that the three kings followed the comet star, the famous comet of Halley: in reality this element was introduced only the fresco “Adoration of the Magi” painted by Giotto.
Returning then to the figure of the Epiphany, is currently represented as an old lady with a long nose, sharp chin, wrinkled face, few teeth, curved back and dressed with a large skirt, an apron with pockets, worn slippers and a handkerchief on the head.
According to legend he travels on a broom and delivers sweets, toys and chocolates to children who behaved well and charcoal (sweet) to children less obedient. These traditionally prepare a glass of wine and a fruit, for example an orange to offer to the old lady: in addition they leave in the house boots or socks as a spare footwear for the old lady but also in the hope of finding them filled with sweets!
Because the feast of the Epiphany is mostly linked to children, for several years is handed down a famous nursery rhyme much loved throughout Italy, which reads as follows:
” The Epiphany comes at night
With shoes all broken
With Roman hat
Long live the Epiphany!”
Cover Image: regione.lombardia