Previously Christians used to go to church to confess their sins and were absolved from them. This was called "Shriven" or "Shrive". Later on this was shortened to Shrove. That's why today Pancake Day is identified as Shrove Tuesday. But why do we consume pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
Christians believe that Lent commemorated Jesus' 40 days in wilderness and that's why they mark this time by fasting. Shrove Tuesday was the perfect day to use up the ingredients that were given up for Lent: butter, milk, flour and obviously eggs. Pancakes were a dish that could use up all the eggs, butter and milk within the house with just the addition of flour. A pancake was, in those calorie-starved days, regarded as an extravagance.
In United Kingdom the tradition of producing and eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday falls in between 2nd of February and 9th of March. The date of Shrove Tuesday depends upon the date of Easter. Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in several nations. New Orleans for instance has Mardi Gras, and Rio de Janeiro equally raucous carnival. Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday is identified as 'Fasnacht' in Germany what means the night of the fast. In Italy it is called 'Carnivale' from the Latin for 'goodbye to the flesh'. Mardi Gras is celebrated not just in New Orleans but also in Brazil and Australia.
Catholics developed huge tradition around Shrove Tuesday. It has turn into vibrant variety of Carnivals around the world. As well as the word 'carnival' is related to fasting for Lent. One interpretation of this word states that it originated from the Latin 'Caro Vale' that implies "Farewell Meat". And not merely consuming pancakes on a Shrove Tuesday is a preferred tradition. At St. Columb Major in Cornwall, rival villages have a custom of playing 'Hurling the Silver Bell', making use of a ball of applewood covered in silver. In Scarborough, local men and women delight in the customs of 'Ringing the Pancake Bell' and 'Shrovetide Skipping'. Folks set up long skipping ropes across the promenade and up to ten people need to skip at one time.
In Venice the custom of Carnival is extremely old. Carnivals happen to be taking place given that 1268 only with a handful of centuries interruption. Carnivals in Venice are very popular mainly because of the tradition of wearing masks. These masks have even longer history than the Carnival. Masks had been the symbol of protest against oppressive circumstances in this little city. The Carnival pretty much vanished in the 18th century nevertheless it was once more celebrated immediately after new masks were sold in the shops in the 1980s.
Germany has its extremely ritualistic Carnival and featuring parades, funny speeches and floats. Today, German Carnival is becoming more and more common tourist attraction. It is actually even often compared to Munich's Oktoberfest. German Carnival is so one of a kind also because it begins at November 11th at 11:11. Carnival may be cancelled. Last time it was cancelled in 1991 to show the protest against the US war in Iraq.
Christians believe that Lent commemorated Jesus' 40 days in wilderness and that's why they mark this time by fasting. Shrove Tuesday was the perfect day to use up the ingredients that were given up for Lent: butter, milk, flour and obviously eggs. Pancakes were a dish that could use up all the eggs, butter and milk within the house with just the addition of flour. A pancake was, in those calorie-starved days, regarded as an extravagance.
In United Kingdom the tradition of producing and eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday falls in between 2nd of February and 9th of March. The date of Shrove Tuesday depends upon the date of Easter. Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in several nations. New Orleans for instance has Mardi Gras, and Rio de Janeiro equally raucous carnival. Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday is identified as 'Fasnacht' in Germany what means the night of the fast. In Italy it is called 'Carnivale' from the Latin for 'goodbye to the flesh'. Mardi Gras is celebrated not just in New Orleans but also in Brazil and Australia.
Catholics developed huge tradition around Shrove Tuesday. It has turn into vibrant variety of Carnivals around the world. As well as the word 'carnival' is related to fasting for Lent. One interpretation of this word states that it originated from the Latin 'Caro Vale' that implies "Farewell Meat". And not merely consuming pancakes on a Shrove Tuesday is a preferred tradition. At St. Columb Major in Cornwall, rival villages have a custom of playing 'Hurling the Silver Bell', making use of a ball of applewood covered in silver. In Scarborough, local men and women delight in the customs of 'Ringing the Pancake Bell' and 'Shrovetide Skipping'. Folks set up long skipping ropes across the promenade and up to ten people need to skip at one time.
In Venice the custom of Carnival is extremely old. Carnivals happen to be taking place given that 1268 only with a handful of centuries interruption. Carnivals in Venice are very popular mainly because of the tradition of wearing masks. These masks have even longer history than the Carnival. Masks had been the symbol of protest against oppressive circumstances in this little city. The Carnival pretty much vanished in the 18th century nevertheless it was once more celebrated immediately after new masks were sold in the shops in the 1980s.
Germany has its extremely ritualistic Carnival and featuring parades, funny speeches and floats. Today, German Carnival is becoming more and more common tourist attraction. It is actually even often compared to Munich's Oktoberfest. German Carnival is so one of a kind also because it begins at November 11th at 11:11. Carnival may be cancelled. Last time it was cancelled in 1991 to show the protest against the US war in Iraq.
About the Author:
The author is obsessed about homemade pancakes and has a entire internet site devoted to it. It presents recipes and pancake facts like why we eat pancakes on a shrove tuesday amongst others. For more of homemade pancakes, click this article.