Ever wondered why there’s a whole day in our calendar dedicated purely to pancakes? Every year, between February 03rd and March 09th, exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday, millions of us feast on the fried flat cake.
Traditionally on Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras (‘Greasy Tuesday’), Anglo-Saxon Christians would feast on their remaining “fatty foods” before going to Church to confess their sins. The bell that was rung became known as the ‘Pancake Bell’ and is rung before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Before embarking on the 40 day fast of Lent, people would mix their left over eggs and fats to produce pancakes. Some associate the ingredients of the pancake with four points- the eggs representing creation; the flour representing the staff of life; the salt representing wholesomeness and the milk representing purity. Whether you believe this to be symbolic or not, many would agree that Pancake Day is a time for feasting and having a good time.
Today, Pancake Day is celebrated worldwide and has been going for over 1,000 years. However, each Pancake Day is different depending on where you live. For example, in France, it is essential that you touch the handle of the frying pan and make a wish while the pancake is turned, holding a coin in one hand. In the UK, many people run in pancake races, remembering the story of one woman in 1445 who took her frying pan and pancake to Church with her. This was because she hadn’t finished cooking it and didn’t want to be late. Each year in Buckinghamshire, women over 18 years toss pancakes as they race to the finish line wearing a skirt, apron and head covering! Many world records have come about of previous Pancake Days, including the largest pancake ever made, measuring an astounding 15.01m wide and 2.5cm deep. Who knew that pancakes could be so successful?
Olivia Wiltshire
Langley Park School for Girls
