Pancake Day is one of the lesser known and consequently a less anticipated celebration. That’s because it is often overlooked as just a day to treat ourselves to the delightful pancake. Yet it holds an intriguing, worthy and deeper religious and moral significance.
Pancake Day was on the 25th of February this year and although its date changes, on can always expect the celebration to occur on a Tuesday towards the end of February. Synonymously called Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, it marks the beginning of Lent for Christians.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday- which follows Shrove Tuesday. On Ash Wednesday, churches hold services which allow Christians to confess any wrong-doing and ask for forgiveness. This is often observed by marking a cross made of ash on one’s forehead. Following this, Lent commences, lasting a period of six weeks which leads up to Easter (with the final week also referred to a Holy Week).
These six weeks are actually a solemn reminder of Jesus’ fast in the desert.
Christians believe that Jesus went to pray to God before beginning his work for Him. He did so by observing a fast, and although he was tempted many times by Satan, he did not break it. His sacrifice and self-discipline acts as reminder to Christians of how to live a good life which isn’t veered into moral wrongdoing due to temptation. As such, Christians practice this by observing a fast themselves during Lent.
Due to the busy nature of a modern lifestyle, it is very difficult to follow the strict fast that was traditionally practiced, but the ethos remains the same. Some Christians will often refrain from meat or dairy products while others may just give up something they really enjoy such as crisps or chocolate. Shrove Tuesday, therefore, acts as an opportunity to prepare oneself for the upcoming restrictions. Not only was it an opportunity to purify oneself, derived from the verb, ‘shrive,’ meaning to confess sins, but also a chance to rid the possibility of any cravings that could tempt them into breaking the fast. This was done by eating things they would have to abstain from for 6 weeks on the day before the fast began. Christians may have eaten meat and other dairy products, but as pancakes were a simple meal, they could make many to use up all the milk, eggs or fat ahead of the fast. Its popularity as a dish eaten before Lent has earned its famous namesake.
Pancake Day has become a fun and enjoyable event that can be enjoyed by Christians, in particular, but also gives all people of any background a chance to dust off their favourite pancake recipe and relish the treat. But, now knowing the significance of Pancake Day, it can also act as a reminder to everyone to veer away from bad vices- as tough as the sacrifice may be. As we indulge ourselves in the sweet tasting sugar rush, let’s try and focus on making the right decision, even if it’s the hard one.
As surprising as it may seem, Pancake Day can make us better people, and the world a better place!
By Krishna Mahendrakar
