What does Befana mean in Italy?

In Italian folklore, La Befana is a witch who brings good children treats on the morning of the Epiphany, January 6. But if you were bad, look out – you may wake up to a lump of coal.

What is the meaning of Befana?

(bəˈfɑːnə ) noun. (in Italian folklore) an ugly good fairy who brings gifts to good children on Epiphany eve.

Why does Italy celebrate La Befana?

In Italian folklore, Befana is an old soot-covered woman or witch who delivers presents to Italian children on the night before La Befana (Epiphany Eve). The story goes that on their way to see the infant Jesus, the Magi stopped to ask Befana for directions and asked her to join them.

Do Italians still celebrate La Befana?

La Befana, which coincides with the feast of the Epiphany on 6 January, is an annual public holiday across Italy. Italians celebrate the religious feast of the Epiphany, or the more popular folklore version of La Befana, on 6 January which falls on a Thursday in 2022.

What do Italians leave out for La Befana?

Italians say that Befana is still searching for that baby and, on her quest, she leaves treats such as toys and candy or fruit for well-behaved children. Naughty children get chunks of coal, onions, and garlic, or even a straw from her broom instead of rewards.

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Why do they burn Befana?

Pagan origins

The feast of this fairy-tale old lady, so much beloved and feared by Italian children, takes origin from the "old lady" which was burned in the squares to celebrate the end of the year, a symbol of time cycles always ending and beginning again.

What food is eaten on La Befana?

The arrival of la Befana is celebrated with traditional Italian foods such as panettone and marks the end of the long and festive holiday season in Italy.

What is the story of the Befana?

Befana is said to be an old woman and many refer to her as a witch, who visits all the children in Italy on the eve of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6. She fills the children's stockings full of either candy or coal, depending on their behaviour the year before.

Do you say happy La Befana?

“La Befana” is usually portrayed as an ugly-looking old witch, so a gentleman should never wish Happy Befana Day to a woman. That would get you an angry look if you are lucky, and a threat to be fed coal if not.

How do you wish someone a happy La Befana?

Viva, viva la Befana! Hurray, Hurray, la Befana! Click here to listen to a Befana song.

What are some symbols of La Befana?

In the same way as those mythological figures, also the Befana flies. La Befana is an old and ugly woman because she represents the end of the year. In fact, one of her symbols is the broom. She uses to sweep all the past things away, preparing a clean space for the new ones.

What are some fun facts about La Befana?

La Befana is hands down Italy's most interesting Christmas character. Known as the 'good witch of Christmas', La Befana presides over the feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. In fact, her name comes from the Italian word for the Epiphany; 'epifania'.

Why does La Befana hold a broomstick?

Popular tradition tells that if one sees La Befana one will receive a thump from her broomstick, as she doesn't wish to be seen. This aspect of the tradition may be designed to keep children in their beds. Another commonly heard Christian legend of La Befana starts at the time of the birth of baby Jesus.

What does the Befana look like?

Children of today know Befana as an old woman who flies a broom and wears a black shawl over a dress dirty with soot from the chimneys she climbs down to deliver her gifts. For the good children she brings sweets, toys and books. And, as in the past, she brings onions, garlic and coal for the bad children.

How old is Befana?

The figure of La Befana has been an Italian Christmas tradition, long before Babbo Natale (Santa Claus) made his way into the bel paese culture. Most sources say that the myth of La Befana goes back to the 13th century.

Is Befana a witch?

In Italian folklore, La Befana is a witch who brings good children treats on the morning of the Epiphany, January 6.

What is Santa called in Italy?

For children in Italy, the jolly man bearing gifts is called Babbo Natale -- he's an Italian version of Father Christmas, but rarely found in the southern half of Italy. "Babbo Natale is really someone who came from the northern part of Europe," said Betta Alinovi.

What do Italians eat on January 6?

What is La Befana for kids?

But Italian children are expecting another special visitor: La Befana, a kind woman who flies by broomstick, wiggles through chimneys and stuffs stockings with candy. She drops off goodies the night of January 5, so kids wake up to sweet surprises on January 6.

What do you leave out for Befana?

Being a nice old witch (albeit not much to look at), La Befana is also said to sweep the floor for you. You in exchange are required to leave out a little glass of wine for her, which seems only fair really. La Befana is said to have been doing her housework when the 3 Wisemen passed by her house.

Where does La Befana live?

La Befana lived alone in a house in the hills of Italy, spending her days cooking and cleaning. One night she noticed a bright light in the sky. After some thought, La Befana decided to ignore the light and go back to work.

What do people do to attract La Befana in their homes?

In addition to the coal though, La Befana places onions and garlic in the stockings or shoes of the bad children as well. As people place cookies and milk out to entice Santa in the United States, La Befana is attracted by a plate of broccoli with spiced sausage and glass of wine on Epiphany Eve, not Christmas Eve.

What does Italy call Christmas?

Christmas in Italy (in Italian: Natale) begins on December 8, with the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the day on which traditionally the Christmas tree is mounted and ends on January 6, of the following year with the Epiphany (in Italian: Epifania).

What do you say in Italy on Epiphany?

“L'Epifania,” an old saying goes, “tutte le feste si porta via.” (Epiphany carries away all the holidays.)