Marking Candlemas

2nd February is observed as Candlemas, traditionally the date of the Presentation by his parents of the baby Jesus in the Temple, 40 days after his birth.  It also can be taken as the close of the liturgical Christmas season.

In some countries, old customs are maintained, including pancake-making, end-of-year payment settlements, children dressing-up, eating honey, and, unsurprisingly, lighting candles (long-burning wicks indicate a good year for beekeepers in Hungary!)

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