Epiphany Eve

Epiphany Eve (Austria)

January 5

At one time the 12 nights between Christmas and Epiphany were known as "Smoke Nights" in Austria because people went through their houses and barns burning incense. Now the ceremony takes place on only one night, January 5. Also known as the Vigil of Epiphany, there is traditionally a special feast on this night during which an Epiphany cake is served. Three beans are concealed in the cake—two white, one black—and whoever finds a bean in his or her portion gets to dress up as one of the Three Wise Men or Holy Kings. The one with the black bean dresses up as the African king, Balthasar, by rubbing his face with soot or shoe polish. On Epiphany Day the three kings are the guests of honor at the table.
After the Epiphany Eve meal is served, to follow an old custom, the father or head of the household takes a shovelful of coal and burns incense on it. He walks through the house and outbuildings spreading smoke from the incense, followed by the oldest son, who sprinkles holy water in his path. The rest of the family follow, with the youngest child carrying a piece of chalk on a plate that has been blessed in morning mass. After each room and outbuilding has been blessed, the father takes the chalk and writes the initials of the Three Kings—C for Caspar, M for Melchior, and B for Balthasar—over every door leading to the outside. The ritual is believed to protect the household from evil in the coming year.
See also Perchtenlauf

CONTACTS:
Embassy of Austria
3524 International Ct. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-895-6700; fax: 202-895-6750
www.austria.org

SOURCES:
BkFestHolWrld-1970, p. 21
EncyChristmas-2003, pp. 221, 771
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 15

Celebration day: Jan 5

Celebrated in: Austria

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Epiphany Eve (France)

January 5

On the eve of Le Jour des Rois ("the Day of the Kings") it is customary in France to give food, clothing, money, and gifts to the parish poor. In Alsace, children go from door to door dressed as the Three Kings, asking for donations of eggs, bacon, and cakes. In Normandy, children make their neighborhood rounds carrying Chinese lanterns and empty baskets, in which they hope to collect food, clothing, and money. In Brittany, someone dressed as a beggar leads a horse, decorated with ribbons and mistletoe, through the streets. There are empty baskets hanging from the saddle in which donations are carried. In Provence and some other parts of southern France, children go out on Epiphany Eve to meet the Three Kings, carrying cakes and figs for the hungry Magi and hay for their camels. Even though they may not meet the Three Kings on the road, they can see their statues standing near the altar of the church, where an Epiphany mass is celebrated at night.

SOURCES:
BkFest-1937, p. 119
DictFolkMyth-1984, pp. 182, 581
EncyChristmas-2003, p. 404
FestWestEur-1958, p. 33
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 16
(c)

Celebration day: Jan 5

Celebrated in: France