Archive: Epiphany
Today (January 6) is the Christian holy day of Epiphany (Greek επιφάνεια, “the appearance; miraculous phenomenon.”) The observance has its origins in the eastern Christian churches, and includes a commemoration of the early events of Jesus’ life: his birth; the visit of the three Magi (symbolic of his revelation to the Gentiles); his childhood; and his baptism. The feast was fixed on January 6, twelve days after the Western Christmas.
In some Catholic traditions, the priest blesses Epiphany water, gold, frankincense and chalk on January 6; believers (or children dressed as the Magi) then write the initials of the three kings above their doors (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar) in chalk. (C+M+B also stands for Christus mansionem benedictat (Christ bless the house), which, according to some, is what really stands behind the letters.)
If you’re looking for some Epiphany cuisine, you could try the French gâteau des Rois (or the galette des Rois), a kind of king cake, with a trinket hidden inside. The person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket becomes the king.
Owing to the association with the Magi astronomer/astrologers this might also be a good time to dust off your telescope and plan some stargazing in 2007. There will be a total lunar eclipse on 3 March (visible from Europe, at least).
The evening before Epiphany is Twelfth Night, so make sure you have taken down your Christmas decorations. Enjoy some king-cake, toast the Wise Men, and reflect on the early life of Christ.
(Originally posted Jan 5 2006; edited Jan 6 2007.)
This was a very inspiring post, Ronan. I have fond memories of those galette des Rois. Very yummy.
Comment by J. Stapley — January 5, 2006 @ 1:05 pm
Thanks Ronan — One of my favourite Twelfth Night traditions is the blessing of the apple trees. While I’m not really into firing guns through the branches to drive away evil spirits, I like the idea of pouring cider on the apple tree roots and then toasting the orchard (our little orchard has 8 apple trees)with hot mugs of cider.
Comment by kris — January 5, 2006 @ 1:20 pm
Just lovely. Thank you.
Comment by annegb — January 5, 2006 @ 9:28 pm
Ah, King Cake. One of my favorite things about living here. Winn-Dixie was selling them on Wednesday. Philistines. Anything for a buck.
In New Orleans, the king cake comes with a little plastic baby inside. Whoever “gets the baby” has to buy the next King Cake for the office, ensuring a ready supply of King Cake for the entire season.
King Cake season lasts until Mardi Gras, which can be anywhere from about six to ten weeks later. Local bakeries say that they sell about the same number of cakes regardless of how long the season lasts…if the season is long, there’s a lag in demand in the middle that picks up again toward Mardi Gras.
The Phunny Phorty Phellows kick off the parade season on January 6th, usually riding the streetcars up St. Charles. This year, there’s no power up there yet, so they’re riding up the streetcars on Canal. They are being led by Queen MRE Antoinette, who will be costumed in blue FEMA tarp decorated with MRE labels.
Comment by Ann — January 7, 2006 @ 12:23 pm
I’d be interested if someone has a recipe for king cake or some variant.
Comment by Ronan — January 6, 2007 @ 8:33 am
Here.
Comment by Matt W. — January 8, 2007 @ 10:41 am
Can I say that I never found the King Cakes I had to be that great? Sort of on par with your garden variety danish. And the plastic baby was kind of silly.
Comment by Clark Goble — January 8, 2007 @ 12:04 pm