His name comes from Candela, from «The light that guides the road». As we mentioned, his feast is the same day as the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus.
How is Candelaria Day in Mexico?
He Candelaria Day in Mexico It is one of the traditions of the Catholic religion. The celebration begins on January 6, Kings Day, date on which Mexicans leave the traditional thread of kings or thread of Magi, the people who find in their slice of thread to the doll that represents the child God, must bring to the table the tamales the Candelaria Day.
On the other hand, tradition also has pre -Hispanic origins because in the Aztec calendar for the same date the beginning of Atlacahualo was celebrated, date on which the gods Tláloc and Chalchiuhtlicue were paid to have good harvests throughout the year. The conquerors when pertishing from this coincidence used it to evangelize the natives and merged the customs, over time it was evolving in what we know as the day of the Candelaria.
In addition, it is worth mentioning that the food presented for the celebration is made of corn, an ingredient of Pre -Hispanic origin. This is why people dedicated to agriculture and corn planting, lead their raw material to bless churches on this special date.
In Mexico City, mayors such as Coyoacán They are adorned with chopped paper to offer a great variety of Mexican tamales and crafts.
Coyoacán is one of the most visited mayorships in the CDMX.Getty images.
How is Candelaria Day in Latin America?
In addition to Mexico, Candelaria Day is also celebrated in other Latin American countries.
Peru
In Peru, the Candelaria Day Or the holiday in honor of the Virgen de la Candelaria, is one of the greatest celebrations. It was appointed cultural and immaterial heritage of Peru and humanity and is carried out in the city of Puno. Dancing and musicians divided into 120 native dances and about 100 mestizo dances representing different native dances and lights in the region participate.
Chili
To the north: In the city of Copiapó the Virgen de la Candelaria is celebrated with religious dances, it is a popular fervor date because in its highest day it comes to summon about 150,000 parishioners around the temple.
To the south: in Carelmapu, the divers accompany the Virgin in the procession, so that she accompanies them in her daily life and brings them back home and saved.
Cuba
It is celebrated in the city of Morón and in consolation of the South, Pinar del Río where local authorities have again allowed the traditional procession to be carried out.
El Salvador
The Virgin of Candelaria is a patron saint of a town called Jucuarán. This city celebrates on February 1 and 2 the pilgrimage parties in honor of the Virgin of Candelaria.