Parilia

Parilia

Ancient Roman festival celebrated annually on April 21 in honor of the goddess Pales, protector of flocks and herds. It was celebrated first by the early kings of Rome and later by the pontifex maximus. The Vestal Virgins opened the festival by distributing straw and the ashes and blood of sacrificed animals. Ritual cleaning, anointing, and adornment of herds and stalls followed. The celebrants jumped over a bonfire three times to complete the rite of purification.

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Parilia (Palilia)

April 21

This ancient Roman festival was held in honor of Pales, the protector of shepherds and their flocks—although some say it was named after pario, meaning "to bear or increase." Pales was sometimes regarded as male, and therefore similar to Pan or Faunus, and sometimes as female, and therefore related to Vesta, or Anna Parenna ( see Anna Parenna Festival). In any case, the Parilia was a pastoral rite that was observed not only in rural areas but also in Rome, where it coincided with the city's founding in 753 b.c.e. In fact, it is believed that Romulus, one of the legendary founders of Rome, played a significant role in the cleansing and renewal rituals associated with the Parilia.
Although no sacrifices were offered, lustrations (purifying ceremonies) were carried out with fire and smoke. The blood that had been preserved from the October Horse Sacrifice six months earlier was burned, as were bean shells and the ashes of the cattle sacrificed at the Cerealia. The stables were purified with smoke and swept out with brooms. There were also offerings to Pales of cheese, boiled wine, and millet cakes. In rural areas, heaps of straw were set ablaze, and shepherds and their flocks had to pass over or through them three times. The festival ended with a huge open-air feast.

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 246
ClassDict-1984, p. 437
DictFolkMyth-1984, p. 845
DictRomRel-1996, p. 175
FestRom-1981, p. 103
OxYear-1999, p. 164

Celebration day: Apr 21