Enjoy a delightful moment tossing and eating crêpes with your family. (Courtesy photo)

Feb. 2 is the day to eat crêpes

Chièvres, Belgium -- In Belgium and many other countries, Feb. 2 is a traditional day to eat crêpes. “Chandeleur” is the result of a long mix of Roman, Pagan and Christian traditions.

The name “Chandeleur” comes from a time when Christians used to bring home a lit consecrated candle on Feb. 2, in memory of the day when Maria presented her son Jesus to the temple, 40 days after his birth. This candle was the symbol of Jesus being the light of Israel

Romans used to honor the deceased on this very same day by staying up all night with candles and torches. But “Chandeleur” is also a pagan feast when people asked a god for a good harvest. The crêpe symbolizes the solar disk and evokes the return of the sun after a cold winter.

During “Chandeleur”, it is traditional to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other. Then flip the crêpe into the air. If you manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, that would guarantee good luck for all the year. Another tradition is to place the first one inside or on top of a cupboard, to ward off poverty and assure a bountiful harvest.

So make the most of your day by enjoying a delightful moment tossing and eating crêpes with your family.

By USAG Benelux Public Affairs