Celebrate Candlemas with YogaSearcher! Pancake batter recipes, origins, traditions, everything you need to know about this delicious holiday!

The origins of Candlemas

Candlemas, also known as the Festival of Light, has its origins in a combination of religious and pagan traditions. Celebrated on February 2, 40 days after Christmas, this holiday has its roots in the Jewish ritual of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. According to this custom, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth to present him to God.

Before being associated with the Christian religion, Candlemas had pagan origins. It symbolized the transition between winter and spring, marking the return of light with longer days.

The tradition of making crepes on Candlemas is steeped in symbolism. The round, golden shape of the crepes is reminiscent of the sun, symbolizing the coming light and warmth. Some even believe that eating crepes on this occasion brings prosperity and luck.

Many superstitions persist around Candlemas. For example, it is customary to toss the first pancake by holding a coin inside it while making a wish. The wish's fulfillment is associated with the pancake landing correctly in the pan.

Nowadays, Candlemas celebrations often take on a more secular character. Convivial meals featuring crêpes are commonplace. Some even organize crêpe races or cooking competitions to mark this special day.

Why do we make pancakes on Candlemas?

The tradition of eating crepes on Candlemas dates back to ancient customs and is associated with several symbols. The round, golden crepes are often associated with the sun, symbolizing the light that returns with the approach of spring after the dark days of winter.

In some regions, Candlemas was also associated with the first harvest of the year. Pancakes, made with basic ingredients such as flour, eggs, and milk, were a way to celebrate the coming abundance and ask for prosperity for future harvests.

The way pancakes are prepared, by tossing the batter in the pan, is sometimes interpreted as a fertility rite, with some believing that the higher the pancake tosses, the more abundant the crops will be during the year.

Preparing and eating crêpes are often family and convivial activities, thus offering Candlemas an opportunity to bring people together around the table to share a warm moment.

In Christian tradition, the round shape of pancakes can also evoke the gold coin, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, some seeing it as a reference to the feast of the presentation of Jesus at the temple.

Candlemas and yoga

The symbolism of Candlemas in yoga emphasizes the inner search for light, clarity, and self-understanding. This search for light on Candlemas can be directly linked to the practice of yoga, where inner exploration and the search for mental clarity are fundamental.

The parallel between meditation and pancake making highlights the importance of mental presence in both activities. Meditation aims to cultivate mindfulness, just as pancake making requires focused attention. Cooking thus becomes a meditative act where one is fully engaged in the present moment.

The concept of "mindful eating yoga" emphasizes sensory awareness and gratitude while preparing and enjoying crepes at Candlemas. It encourages you to be fully present, recognizing flavors and textures with keen awareness.

Encouraging readers to incorporate yoga practices into their celebrations highlights the importance of a balanced approach to festive traditions. A morning yoga session or meditation before preparing or enjoying pancakes can create a calming and balancing atmosphere.

Finally, the emphasis on celebrating food with gratitude highlights the importance of acknowledging the ingredients and work behind each meal. This practice aligns harmoniously with the principles of yoga, encouraging an attitude of gratitude toward food that nourishes the body and mind.

Pancake batter recipes:

Looking for crepe batter recipes for a successful Candlemas? Or simply a comforting snack or a super indulgent brunch? Try our recipes for banana and chocolate crepes, vegan or even gluten-free! Easy and quick to make, they'll delight young and old alike. Get your aprons on!

Gluten-free pancakes

For 16 pancakes:

• 110 g of cornstarch
• 90 g of rice flour
• 30 g butter
• 2 eggs
• 50 cl of milk
• 2 tablespoons of oil (of your choice)
• 2 tablespoons of rum.
• 1 pinch of salt

STEP 1

Whisk the eggs with the oil then add the flour, cornstarch and rum.

STEP 2

Dilute with the milk and mix well until you obtain a smooth paste.

STEP 3

If lumps form, mix the dough for a few minutes.

STEP 4

Let stand for at least 1 hour.

STEP 5

Heat a frying pan or crepe pan and add a knob of butter. Once it has melted, pour a ladleful of batter and spread it evenly over the cooking surface to form a nice crepe.

STEP 6

As soon as the crepe begins to dry (1 minute maximum), turn it over by tossing it or simply using a spatula.

STEP 7

Once flipped, sprinkle the crepe with a little sugar and rub a small piece of butter over the surface to prevent the crepe from being too dry.

Vegan Pancakes

Recipe for 4 people

• 300 g of wheat flour
• 50 g of corn starch
• 2 tablespoons of neutral oil
• 50 cl of oat milk
• 20 cl of water

STEP 1

Mix the liquids together.

STEP 2

Add the flour and starch through a sieve to avoid lumps (if necessary, pass the dough through an immersion blender or blender to obtain a homogeneous mixture).

STEP 3

Let stand for 1 hour at room temperature.

STEP 4

Heat a non-stick frying pan.

STEP 5

Place a ladleful of batter and turn it over when it turns golden.

Banana and Chocolate Pancakes

Recipe for 4 people

• 150 g of wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 3 eggs
• 300 ml of milk
• 20 g melted butter
• 2 nice bananas
• 70 g dark chocolate
• 1 tablespoon of water

STEP 1

In a bowl, mix the flour and sugar, then make a well. Crack the eggs into the bowl and beat them, then gradually add the flour until you get a thick paste.

STEP 2

Gradually add the milk while continuing to whisk to obtain a smooth paste. Finish with the melted butter. Mix one last time.

STEP 3

Let stand for 1 hour at room temperature.

STEP 4

In a hot, lightly greased pan, cook the pancakes, letting them brown for 1 minute on each side. Set aside on a plate.

STEP 5

Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie or in the microwave. Cut the bananas into slices.

STEP 6

Take a crepe and coat a quarter of it with melted chocolate. Place the banana slices on top. Then fold the crepe in half. Repeat this process on one of the remaining quarters, then fold it a second time.

STEP 7

Enjoy immediately!

The entire YogaSearcher team wishes you a wonderful Candlemas! For those with a sweet tooth, don't hesitate to try some yoga poses, such as the seated twist, cobra, or even the pinch, they will help ease your digestion :)