On Tuesday 28th February 2017 we celebrated Shrove Tuesday or ‘Pancake day’ as some may call it. But do we actually know what we are celebrating?
On this day, many children and young people may just view this day as an excuse to eat an excessive amount of Pancakes and don’t know why they are actually celebrating this day.
For in fact, the real reason we celebrate Shrove Tuesday is because it is the first day before lent (Ash Wednesday). Traditionally people would tend to fast during Lent. Shrove Tuesday is when people would use up ingredients, which they had in their cupboards and would not be able to eat during Lent (leftover eggs, milk and flour). Today, not many people tend to fast but still decide to give up something for lent such as chocolate.
We call this day before Ash Wednesday, ‘Shrove Tuesday’ but do we actually ever think what this name means? This name actually derives from the word ’shrive’ which means to confess one’s sins. So traditionally, this day is when you can confess and be rid of your sins before you fast in Lent.
In other parts of the world, this day is known as Mardi gras, which is French for fat Tuesday. In some parts of the world Mardi gras refers to the carnival period before Ash Wednesday.
Nowadays, I think that most people have forgotten the real reason why we have pancakes on this particular day and don’t even question this. But, I think that it is important that people still remember the true meaning behind this particular day.
Historically, fasting would’ve been a large part of the culture in Lent for 40 days. But now, only the minority tend to fast but many people still like to try and give something up for lent such as chocolate.
by Sophie Reilly, Sydenham High School
