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{{Short description|Tuesday before Ash Wednesday}}
{{Cleanup|date=March 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
'''''Shrove Tuesday''''' is a term used in English-speaking countries, especially the ], ], ],<ref>{{cite web | title = Easter in Australia | work = The Australian Government Culture and Recreation Portal | url = http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/easter/ | accessdate = 17 November}}</ref> ], and parts of the ]<ref>{{cite web | title = Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) | work = British Embassy, Washington DC | url = http://www.britainusa.com/sections/articles_show_nt1.asp?d=0&i=60062&L1=0&L2=0&a=41276 | accessdate = 17 November 2006 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070223204148/http://www.britainusa.com/sections/articles_show_nt1.asp?d=0&i=60062&L1=0&L2=0&a=41276 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 23 February 2007}}</ref> for the day preceding ], the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called ].
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Shrove Tuesday
| nickname = {{plainlist|
* Pancake Day
* ]
}}
| type = Christian
| longtype = ]
| image = Pieter Bruegel the Elder- The Fight between Carnival and Lent detail 3.jpg
| image_size = 388px
| caption = ]: '']'' (detail), 1559
| observedby = ] (including ], ], ])<ref name="Kelvey2018">{{cite web |last1=Kelvey |first1=Jon |title=Strawbridge United Methodist keeps Shrove Tuesday pancake tradition |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-shrove-tuesday-pancakes-20180213-story.html |work=] |access-date=25 February 2020 |language=en |date=13 February 2018|quote=Many churches—Anglican and Methodist—celebrate Shrove Tuesday then as the beginning of the season of lent, a time to reflect and repent of wrongdoings. But, as Howard notes, it's also called Fat Tuesday, a time to load up on rich food before Lent (40 Days). "For some people it's Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, a time to fatten up before you give something up," he said.}}</ref>
| date = Concluding day of ] or ]; the day before the start of Lent on ]. Shrove Tuesday is always placed 47 days before the western ]
| duration = 1 day
| frequency = Annual
| date{{CURRENTYEAR}} = {{Moveable date |holiday=Shrove Tuesday |year={{CURRENTYEAR}} |format=infobox}}
| date{{NEXTYEAR}} = {{Moveable date |holiday=Shrove Tuesday |year={{NEXTYEAR}} |format=infobox |cite=y}}
| date{{NEXTYEAR|2}} = {{Moveable date |holiday=Shrove Tuesday |year={{NEXTYEAR|2}} |format=infobox}}
| date{{NEXTYEAR|3}} = {{Moveable date |holiday=Shrove Tuesday |year={{NEXTYEAR|3}} |format=infobox}}
| observances = ], the ritual burning of the previous year's ] branches, finalizing one's ], eating ] and other sweets
| relatedto = {{plainlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}
}}


'''Shrove Tuesday''' (also known as '''Pancake Tuesday''' or '''Pancake Day''') is the final day of ], marking the end of ]. ] begins the following day with ]. Shrove Tuesday is observed in many ] through participating in ]; the ritual burning of the previous year's ] palms; finalizing one's ]; as well as eating ]s and other sweets.<ref name="Cocks1897"/><ref name="DSPNSDAPPC2019"/>
The word ''shrove'' is the past participle of the English verb ''to shrive'', which means to obtain ] for one's ]s by way of ] and doing ]. During the week before Lent, sometimes called ] in English, Christians were expected to go to confession in preparation for the ] season of turning to God. Shrove Tuesday was the last day before the beginning of Lent on ], and noted in histories dating back to 1000 ]. The popular celebratory aspect of the day had developed long before the ], and was associated with releasing high spirits before the somber season of ]. It is analogous to the continuing ] tradition associated with ] (and its various names in different countries) that continued separately in European ] countries.


Shrove Tuesday is observed by many Christians, including ], ], ] ], and ],<ref>Walker, Katie (2011). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214030411/http://articles.dailyamerican.com/2011-03-07/news/29155052_1_pancake-dinner-pancake-day-shrove |date=14 i am February 2016 }}</ref> who "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with."<ref>Provine, Darren (2014). </ref> This ] is determined by ] of ]. The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word '']'', meaning absolution following confession.<ref name="Kane2023"/><ref name="Melitta Weiss Adamson, Francine Segan 2008">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PPDIx6WWuOQC&pg=PA354|title=Entertaining from Ancient Rome to the Super Bowl|author=Melitta Weiss Adamson; Francine Segan|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2008|quote=In Anglican countries, Mardis Gras is known as ''Shrove Tuesday''-from ''shrive'' meaning "confess"—or ''Pancake Tuesday''—after the breakfast food that symbolizes one final hearty meal of eggs, butter, and sugar before the fast. On Ash Wednesday, the morning after Mardi Gras, repentant Christians return to church to receive upon the forehead the sign of the cross in ashes.
In the United States, the term Shrove Tuesday is less widely known outside of people who observe the liturgical traditions of the ], ], ], and Catholic churches.<ref>{{cite news | title = Mardi Gras | work = St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture | url = http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_tov/ai_2419100764 | accessdate = 17 November 2006 | first=-Sue | last=Walker | year=2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = National Celebrations: Holidays in the United States | work = U.S. State Department | url = http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/factover/holidays.htm | accessdate = 17 November 2006 }}</ref> Because of the increase in many immigrant populations and traditions since the 19th century, and the rise of highly publicized festivals, Mardi Gras has become more familiar as the designation for that day.
|isbn=978-0313086892}}</ref> Christians traditionally visit their church on Shrove Tuesday to confess their sins and clean their soul, thus being ''shriven'' (absolved) before the start of Lent.<ref name="Kane2023">{{cite web |last1=Kane |first1=Paul |title=Pancake Day facts! |url=https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/shrove-tuesday-facts/ |publisher=] |access-date=13 February 2024 |language=English |date=15 December 2023}}</ref> Since 1958, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the ] on Shrove Tuesday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tandirection.com/tradition-restored/the-holy-face-of-jesus-shrove-tuesday/|title=The Holy Face of Jesus: Shrove Tuesday|access-date=December 6, 2024|author=Fr. Lawrence Carney|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Matthew Plese|date=February 16, 2021|access-date=December 6, 2024|language=en-US|title=Reparation to the Holy Face on Shrove Tuesday|url=https://fatima.org/news-views/reparation-to-the-holy-face-on-shrove-tuesday/}}</ref>


As this is the last day of the Christian liturgical season historically known as ] or ], before the penitential season of ], related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one might give up as their ] for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations. The term '']'' is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on ]. Many Christian congregations thus observe the day through eating pancakes or, more specifically, the holding of ]s, as well as the ringing of ]s to remind people to repent of their sins before the start of Lent.<ref name="Cocks1897"/><ref name="BUMC2014">{{cite web |title=Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast & Worship |url=https://www.bishopumc.org/shrove-tuesday-pancake-breakfast-worship/ |publisher=Bishop United Methodist Church |access-date=25 February 2020 |language=en |date=26 February 2014}}</ref> On Shrove Tuesday, churches also burn the palms distributed during the previous year's Palm Sunday liturgies to make the ashes used during the services held on the very next day, ].<ref name="DSPNSDAPPC2019">{{cite web |date=2 March 2019 |title=Shrove Tuesday burning of the Palms |url=https://aranzazushrine.ph/home/index.php/2019/03/02/shrove-tuesday-burning-of-the-palms/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107090742/https://aranzazushrine.ph/home/index.php/2019/03/02/shrove-tuesday-burning-of-the-palms/ |archive-date=7 November 2020 |access-date=4 April 2020 |website=aranzazushrine.ph |publisher=DSPNSDA PPC |language=en}}</ref>
In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the day is often known as Pancake Day. Making and eating such foods was considered a last feast with ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ] ] associated with Lent.


In some Christian countries, especially those where the day is called ] or a translation thereof, it is a ] day, the last day of "fat eating" or "gorging" before the fasting period of Lent.<ref name="Melitta Weiss Adamson, Francine Segan 2008"/>
== Terminologies ==
=== Fat Tuesday ===
All Catholic and some Protestant countries traditionally call the day before Ash Wednesday '''Fat Tuesday'''. The name predated the Reformation and referred to the common Christian tradition of eating special rich foods before the fasting season of Lent. Other countries called it the '''Tuesday of Carnival''', referring to the popular celebration of Carnival that became associated with the feasting.


==History==
In Ireland, it is known as '''Máirt Inide''' (meaning, in ], Shrovetide Tuesday), and Pancake Tuesday.
The tradition of marking the start of Lent has been documented for centuries. ]'s "Ecclesiastical Institutes" from around 1000 AD states: "In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do ".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13763a.htm|title=Shrovetide|publisher=Catholic Encyclopedia|access-date=1 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914062042/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13763a.htm|archive-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> By the time of the late ], the celebration of Shrovetide lasted until the start of Lent.<ref name=Self>{{cite book|title=One Hundred Readings for Assembly|first=David|last=Self|page=24|publisher=Heinemann|year=1993|isbn=978-0-435-80041-3}}</ref>


During the liturgical season of Lent, believers have historically abstained from rich foods such as meat, eggs, lacticinia (dairy products), and alcohol—a practice that continues in ] (in denominations such as the ]) and among ] congregations practicing the ].<ref name="Samaan2024">{{cite web |last1=Samaan |first1=Moses |title=The Meaning of the Great Lent |url=https://www.lacopts.org/story/the-meaning-of-the-great-lent/ |publisher=] |access-date=10 March 2024 |date=9 April 2009 |quote=The Church teaches us to fast until sunset. Fish is not allowed during this period. Also married couples should refrain from physical relations to give themselves time for fasting and prayer (1 Cor. 7: 5). We would like to emphasize the importance of the period of strict abstention during fasting. It is refraining from eating and drinking for a period of time, followed by eating vegetarian food. ... True fasting must be accompanied by abstention from food and drink until sunset as designated by the Church.}}</ref><ref name="RNS2013">{{cite news |title=Lent: Daniel Fast Gains Popularity |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/07/lent-daniel-fast-gains-popularity_n_2640352.html |accessdate=30 December 2018 |work=HuffPost |agency=Religion News Service |date=7 February 2013 |quote=In some cases, entire churches do the Daniel Fast together during Lent. The idea strikes a chord in Methodist traditions, which trace their heritage to John Wesley, a proponent of fasting. Leaders in the African Methodist Episcopal Church have urged churchgoers to do the Daniel Fast together, and congregations from Washington to Pennsylvania and Maryland have joined in.}}</ref><ref name="Hinton2016">{{cite web |last1=Hinton |first1=Carla |title=The Fast and the Faithful: Catholic parish in Oklahoma takes up Lenten discipline based on biblical Daniel's diet |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/religion/2016/02/20/fast-and-the-faithful-catholic-parish-oklahoma-takes-lenten-discipline-based-biblical-daniels-diet/60691130007/ |publisher=] |access-date=27 March 2022 |language=English |date=20 February 2016 |quote=Many parishioners at St. Philip Neri are participating in the Daniel fast, a religious diet program based on the fasting experiences of the Old Testament prophet Daniel. ... participating parishioners started the fast Ash Wednesday (Feb. 10) and will continue through Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.}}</ref> Shrovetide provided Christians with the opportunity to use up these foods prior to the start of the 40-day fasting season of Lent.<ref name="Campbell2005">{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Georgina |title=The Best of Irish Breads and Baking: Traditional, Contemporary and Festive |date=May 2005 |publisher=Georgina Campbell Guides |isbn=978-1-903164-15-0 |page=106 |language=en |quote=Until relatively recently, the Lenten fast was taken so seriously in Ireland that it meant abstaining not only from meat but also eggs and all milk products. The tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday) came about as a practical way of using up the surplus eggs, milk and butter which would otherwise go to waste. Most Irish families still make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and the tradition of tossing pancakes not only survives but actually thrives, providing voter-friendly photo opportunities for politicians and commercial opportunities for the catering trade. }}</ref><ref name="Butler">{{cite book |last1=Butler |first1=Alban |title=The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church |date=1839 |publisher=James Duffy |location=] |page=144-146 |language=en|quote=The primitive Christians in Lent broke their fast only after sunset, and then usually only with herbs, roots, and bread. At least all were obliged to abstain not only from flesh meat, but also from fish, and whatever had life; also whatever is derived from flesh, as eggs, milk, cheese, butter, according to the ancient canon. Likewise from wine, which in the primitive ages was no less forbidden on all fasting days than the use of flesh meat itself ... Some mitigations were introduced in part of abstinence in the sixth century ... Fish was in the same age allowed, but not of the dearer and more dainty kinds.}}</ref><ref name="Butler1774">{{cite book |last1=Butler |first1=Alban |title=The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church |date=1774 |publisher=C. Kiernan |page=257 |language=en |quote=It is undoubted, that anciently to drink on fasting days was no less forbid than to eat, only in the refection after sunset.}}</ref> Prior to the 6th century, Lent was normatively observed through the practice of the Black Fast, which enjoins fasting from food and liquids, with the allowance of one ] meal after sunset.<ref name="Butler">{{cite book |last1=Butler |first1=Alban |title=The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church |date=1839 |publisher=James Duffy |location=] |page=144-146 |language=en|quote=The primitive Christians in Lent broke their fast only after sunset, and then usually only with herbs, roots, and bread. At least all were obliged to abstain not only from flesh meat, but also from fish, and whatever had life; also whatever is derived from flesh, as eggs, milk, cheese, butter, according to the ancient canon. Likewise from wine, which in the primitive ages was no less forbidden on all fasting days than the use of flesh meat itself ... Some mitigations were introduced in part of abstinence in the sixth century ... Fish was in the same age allowed, but not of the dearer and more dainty kinds.}}</ref><ref name="Kiernan">{{cite book |last1=Butler |first1=Alban |title=The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church |date=1774 |publisher=C. Kiernan |page=257 |language=en |quote=It is undoubted, that anciently to drink on fasting days was no less forbid than to eat, only in the refection after sunset.}}</ref> The tradition of ]s during Shrovetide, as well as that of pancake races, owes itself to this practice of "using up the surplus eggs, milk and butter" prior to Lent.<ref name="Campbell2005"/><ref name="CollinsMartin2005">{{cite book|last1=Collins|first1=Tony|last2=Martin|first2=John|last3=Vamplew|first3=Wray|title=Encyclopedia of Traditional British Rural Sports|year=2005|publisher=Psychology Press|language=en |isbn=978-0415352246|page=202|quote=The association between pancakes and Shrove Tuesday appears to have its origins in the fact that the pancakes used up food such as butter, eggs and fat that were prohibited during Lent, which begins the following day on Ash Wednesday. ... Pancakes have been eaten on Shrove Tuesday since at least the sixteenth century. In some parishes, it was the custom for the church bell to ring at noon as the signal for people to begin frying their pancakes. }}</ref> As such, it was traditional in many societies to eat pancakes or other foods made with the butter, eggs and fat or lard that would need to be used up before the beginning of Lent. Similar foods are ] and ].<ref name="CollinsMartin2005"/> The specific custom of British Christians eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday dates to the 16th century.<ref name="CollinsMartin2005">{{cite book|last1=Collins|first1=Tony|last2=Martin|first2=John|last3=Vamplew|first3=Wray|title=Encyclopedia of Traditional British Rural Sports|year=2005|publisher=Psychology Press|language=en |isbn=978-0415352246|page=202|quote=The association between pancakes and Shrove Tuesday appears to have its origins in the fact that the pancakes used up food such as butter, eggs and fat that were prohibited during Lent, which begins the following day on Ash Wednesday. ... Pancakes have been eaten on Shrove Tuesday since at least the sixteenth century. In some parishes, it was the custom for the church bell to ring at noon as the signal for people to begin frying their pancakes. }}</ref>
For ] populations, such as ], it is known as '''] Day''' (also spelled ''Fasnacht'', ''Fausnacht'', ''Fauschnaut'', or ''Fosnacht''). The Fastnacht is made from fried potato dough and served with dark corn syrup. In ]'s novel '']'', the main character remembers a Fosnacht Day tradition in which the last person to rise from the table would be teased by the other family members and called a ''Fosnacht''.


Along with its emphasis on feasting, another theme of Shrove Tuesday involves Christians ] of their sins in preparation to begin the season of Lent in the Christian ].<ref name="Stephens">{{cite book|last=Stephens|first=Valerie|title=Basic Philosophy|year=2016|language=en |isbn=978-1329951747|page=21|quote=Then there is Shrove Tuesday, which is the day observed before Ash Wednesday or Lent. Shrove Tuesday derives from the days when the earliest practising Christians would repent of their sins and be "shriven" or pardoned.}}</ref> In many Christian parish churches, both Protestant and Roman Catholic, a popular Shrove Tuesday tradition is the ringing of the ]s (on this day, the toll is known as the Shriving Bell) "to call the faithful to confession before the solemn season of Lent" and for people to "begin frying their pancakes".<ref name="Cocks1897">{{cite book|last=Cocks|first=Alfred Heneage|title=The church bells of Buckinghamshire: their inscriptions, founders, and uses, and traditions; &c|year=1897|publisher=Jarrold & sons|language=en |page=276}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Pulleyn |first=William |title=The Etymological Compendium, Or Portfolio of Origins and Inventions |year=1828|publisher=]|language=en |page=192}}</ref>
On the Portuguese island of ] they eat ]s on '''Terça-feira Gorda''' (Fat Tuesday in English) which is also the last day of the ], the reason for making malasadas was to use up all the lard and sugar in the house, in preparation for ] (much in the same way the tradition of Pancake Day in the UK originated on Shrove Tuesday), ]s are sold along side the ]. This tradition was taken to ], where Shrove Tuesday is known as '''Malasada Day''', which dates back to the days of the sugar plantations of the 1800s, the resident Catholic ] (mostly from ] and the ]) workers used up butter and sugar prior to Lent by making large batches of '']s''.


==Terminology==
In ] the day is known as ''Sprengidagur'' (Bursting Day) and is marked by eating salt meat and peas.
]'s '']'' (1916)]]
] (1950)]]
The word ''shrove'' is a form of the English word ''shrive'', which means to give ] for someone's ]s by way of ] and doing ]. Thus Shrove Tuesday was named after the custom of Christians to be "shriven" before the start of Lent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13763a.htm|title= Catholic Encyclopedia: Shrovetide|access-date=2 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018210012/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13763a.htm|archive-date=18 October 2014}}</ref>


In the ], ] and parts of the ], Shrove Tuesday is also known as '''Pancake Day''' or '''Pancake Tuesday''', as it became a traditional custom to eat ]s as a meal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spinsouthwest.com/lifestyle/5-best-pancake-recipes-ahead-pancake-tuesday-832037|title=The 5 Best Pancake Recipes Ahead Of Pancake Tuesday|first=Nelius|last=Stackpoole|website=SPINSouthWest}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Shrove Tuesday – Pancake Day! | work = Irish Culture and Customs | url = http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/ShroveTues.html | access-date = 17 November 2006 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061209044318/http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/ShroveTues.html | archive-date = 9 December 2006 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) in the UK | work = British Embassy, Washington DC | url = http://www.britainusa.com/sections/articles_show_nt1.asp?d=0&i=60062&L1=0&L2=0&a=41276| access-date = 17 November 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070223204148/http://www.britainusa.com/sections/articles_show_nt1.asp?d=0&i=60062&L1=0&L2=0&a=41276 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 23 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Easter in Australia | work = The Australian Government Culture and Recreation Portal | url = http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/easter/ | access-date = 17 November 2006 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061007013323/http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/easter/ | archive-date = 7 October 2006 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=Self/> In ] the day is known as {{lang|ga|Máirt Inide}}, from the ] {{lang|la|initium (Jejūniī)}}, "beginning of ]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.potafocal.com/thes/?s=Inid|title=Pota Focal &#124; Inid|website=Pota Focal}}</ref> Elsewhere, the day has also been called "'']''", meaning "Fat Tuesday", after the type of celebratory meal that day.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wBYbL5EEd8gC&q=shrove+tuesday&pg=PT2|title=Love Life Live Lent Family Book: Transform Your World|year=2008|publisher=Church House Publishing|isbn=978-0-7151-4182-3|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228080612/https://books.google.com/books?id=wBYbL5EEd8gC&pg=PT2&dq=shrove+tuesday&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv7-Kp4rDSAhUE2IMKHaQkCWU4FBDoAQgvMAQ#v=onepage&q=shrove%20tuesday&f=false|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref><!-- Comment This is an eBook, so there are no page numbers.-->
In ] the day is called '']''. People eat ]s (''blynai'') and Lithuanian-style ]s called ''spurgos''.


In ], the day is known as '''Fastnachtsdienstag''', '''Faschingsdienstag''', '''Karnevalsdienstag''' or '''Veilchendienstag''' (the last of which translates to violet Tuesday). It is celebrated with fancy dress and a partial school holiday. Similarly, in ] areas, such as ], it is known as ].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Csr6aNdLiyoC&q=shrove+tuesday&pg=PA7|title=Eastertide in Pennsylvania: A Folk-cultural Study|last=Shoemaker|first=Alfred Lewis|page=8|year=2000|publisher=Stackpole Books|isbn=978-0-8117-0548-6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228080714/https://books.google.com/books?id=Csr6aNdLiyoC&pg=PA7&dq=shrove%20tuesday&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjq4__q4LDSAhWq5oMKHUcjDg84ChDoAQhGMAk#v=onepage&q=shrove%20tuesday&f=false|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>
In heavily Polish Catholic areas of the United States, such as ] and the ] suburb of ], '''Pączki Day''' is celebrated with '']''-eating contests, music and other Polish food. However, in ] this celebration falls on the Thursday which precedes ] and is called ''']'''. On that day Poles eat a lot of pączki, which are a Polish version of doughnuts. The Polish name for ''']''' is Tłusty Czwartek and since it is not a public holiday, pączki are not only eaten at home, but also at work and school. It is also a day of celebration in catholic parts of Germany to mark the beginning of the carnival parade season, ushered in by women and young girls, hence called "Weiberfastnacht".


In the ], it is known as "vastenavond", or in ] "{{lang|li|vastelaovend}}", though the word "{{lang|li|vastelaovend}}" usually refers to the entire period of ].<ref name=festivals>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lHl61M4-nhwC&q=shrove+tuesday&pg=PT133|title=Festivals of Western Europe|last=Spicer|first=Dorothy Gladys|year=1973|publisher=Library of Alexandria|isbn=978-1-4655-7999-7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228083141/https://books.google.com/books?id=lHl61M4-nhwC&pg=PT133&dq=shrove+tuesday&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwir_ZfA6bDSAhUI6IMKHcsdA3A45gEQ6AEILDAD#v=onepage&q=shrove%20tuesday&f=false|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref><!-- Comment This is an eBook and has no page numbers.--> In some parts of ] (e.g. ]), the day is called '''Güdeldienstag''' or '''Güdisdienstag''' (preceded by Güdismontag). According to the ] dictionary, the term derives from "Güdel", which means a fat belly stuffed full of food.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Guedeldienstag |title=Güdeldienstag |publisher=Duden |access-date=9 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223112726/http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Guedeldienstag |archive-date=23 February 2016 }}</ref>
== Traditions ==
]]]


In ]-, ]- and ]-speaking countries, among others, it is known as ] (to use the ] spelling). This derives from Medieval Latin {{lang|la|carnelevamen}} ("the putting away of flesh")<ref>]</ref> and thus to another aspect of the Lenten fast, to abstain from eating meat. It is often celebrated with street processions or fancy dress.<ref name=festivals/>
=== Pancake Day in English-speaking countries===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2010}}
In the ] and ], Shrove Tuesday is more commonly known as '''Pancake Tuesday''' or '''Pancake Day'''.


The most famous of these events has become the ] in ]. Venetians have long celebrated carnival with a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://venice-carnival.org/en/approfondimento/9/history-of-venice-carnival.html|title=History of Venice Carnival|publisher=Oltrex|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228083134/http://venice-carnival.org/en/approfondimento/9/history-of-venice-carnival.html|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> The use of the term "carnival" in other contexts derives from this celebration. In Spain, the Carnival Tuesday is named "día de la tortilla" ("omelette day"): an omelette made with some sausage or pork fat is eaten. On the Portuguese island of ], '']s'' are eaten on ''Terça-feira Gorda'' (Fat Tuesday in English), which is also the last day of the ]. Malasadas were cooked in order to use up all the lard and sugar in the house, in preparation for Lenten restrictions.<ref name=metro>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/26/this-is-what-people-eat-on-shrove-tuesday-around-the-world-6458788/|title=This is what people eat on Shrove Tuesday around the world|newspaper=Metro|date=26 February 2016|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227021804/http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/26/this-is-what-people-eat-on-shrove-tuesday-around-the-world-6458788/|archive-date=27 February 2017}}</ref> This tradition was taken to ], where Shrove Tuesday is known as '''Malasada Day''', which dates back to the days of the sugar plantations of the 1800s. The resident Catholic ] workers (who came mostly from Madeira and the ]) used up butter and sugar prior to Lent by making large batches of ''malasadas''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://leonardshawaii.com/malasada-day/|title=Malasada Day|publisher=Leonard's Bakery|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228085906/http://leonardshawaii.com/malasada-day/|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>
In ], among ], ], some other ] denominations, including ethnic ] communities, as well as ], this day is also known as '''Pancake Tuesday''', as it is customary to eat ]s.<ref>{{cite web | title = Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day!| work = Irish Culture and Customs | url = http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/ShroveTues.html | accessdate = 17 November 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) in the UK | work = British Embassy, Washington DC | url = http://www.britainusa.com/sections/articles_show_nt1.asp?d=0&i=60062&L1=0&L2=0&a=41276| accessdate = 17 November 2006 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070223204148/http://www.britainusa.com/sections/articles_show_nt1.asp?d=0&i=60062&L1=0&L2=0&a=41276 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 23 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Easter in Australia | work = The Australian Government Culture and Recreation Portal | url = http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/easter/ | accessdate = 17 November 2006 }}</ref>


In the Lutheran countries of ] and ], the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is called ''Fetetirsdag'' ("Fat Tuesday"); the prior weekend is known as ''Fastelavn'' and is marked by eating ''fastelavnsboller''. Fastelavn is the name for Carnival in Denmark, held either on the Sunday or ] Ash Wednesday.<ref name="Nielsen2020">{{cite web |last1=Nielsen |first1=Anne-Grethe Krogh |title=Giving in or letting go? |url=https://www.danishchurchsocal.com/sermons/2020/3/3/giving-in-or-letting-go |publisher=The Danish Lutheran Church and Cultural Center of Southern California |language=English |date=3 March 2020 |quote=Fastelavn is an old Christian Celebration to begin the time of lent with a big celebration of joy, food and laughter. As the time of Lent was more humble, subtle and abstinent, the evening or the day before Lent began was to be fun and filled with good food for the stomach and for the soul.}}</ref> This holiday occurs seven weeks before Easter Sunday, with children dressing up in costumes and gathering treats for the Fastelavn feast. The holiday is generally considered to be a time for children's fun and family games and on Shrove Sunday, "the churches hold a special family service where children are invited to wear fancy dress."<ref name="ELCD2021">{{cite web |title=Shrovetide|url=https://www.lutheranchurch.dk/liturgy-and-worship/festivals-and-traditions/shrovetide |publisher=] |access-date=8 February 2021 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://danishhomeofchicago.org/2014/02/20/fastelavn-celebration/|title=Fastelavn celebration|publisher=Danish Home of Chicago|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228092515/http://danishhomeofchicago.org/2014/02/20/fastelavn-celebration/|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> In ], the day is similarly called Vastlapäev and is generally celebrated by eating ] and whipped-cream or whipped-cream and jam-filled sweet-buns called ''vastlakukkel'', similar to the Swedish {{lang|sv|fastlagsbulle}} or {{lang|sv|semla}}. Children also typically go sledding on this day.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cfldAgAAQBAJ&q=Vastlap%C3%A4ev&pg=PA118|title=Complete Estonian: Teach Yourself|page=118|publisher=Hachette|year=2012|isbn=978-1-444-17349-9|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228085231/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=cfldAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PA118&dq=Vastlap%C3%A4ev&pg=PA118|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>
Pancakes and ] are associated with the day preceding ] because they were a way to use up rich foodstuffs such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical ] emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: In many cultures, this means no meat, dairy, or eggs.

In ], the day is known as ''Sprengidagur'' (Bursting Day) and is marked by eating salted meat and peas.<ref name=metro/> In ], the day is called {{lang|lt|]}}. People eat ]s (''blynai'') and Lithuanian-style ]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lithuanianmha.org/holiday-traditions/uzgavenes/|title=Užgavėnės|date=22 December 2013|publisher=Lithuanian Music Hall Association|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228081331/http://lithuanianmha.org/holiday-traditions/uzgavenes/|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitlithuania.net/index.php/component/content/article/107-festivals/353-the-shrove-festivalfebruary-.html|title=The Shrove Festival (February)|publisher=visit Lithuania.com|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228081847/http://www.visitlithuania.net/index.php/component/content/article/107-festivals/353-the-shrove-festivalfebruary-.html|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> In ], the day is called Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday), and is generally celebrated by eating a type of ] called {{lang|sv|]}} or {{lang|sv|]}}.<ref name=metro/> In ], the day is called {{lang|fi|]}} and is generally celebrated by eating green pea soup and a pastry called {{lang|fi|]}} (sweet bread filled with whipped cream and jam or almond paste, same as the Swedish {{lang|sv|]}}). The celebration often includes downhill sledging.

In ], a related celebration falls on the Thursday before ] and is called {{lang|pl|tłusty czwartek}} (]). In some areas of the ] with large Polish-American communities, such as ], ], ], and ], '''Tłusty Czwartek''' is celebrated with {{lang|pl|]}} or {{lang|pl|]}} eating contests, music and other Polish food. It may be held on Shrove Tuesday or in the days immediately preceding it.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216215618/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/paczski-day-celebrated-by-wny-polish|date=16 February 2015}}</ref>

In ], ] is also the biggest and best known carnival.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/03/travel/10-reasons-to-visit-slovenia-in-2015/index.html|title=10 Reasons to Visit Slovenia in 2015|publisher=CNN|author=Isalaska, Anita|date=4 March 2015|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228090313/http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/03/travel/10-reasons-to-visit-slovenia-in-2015/index.html|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> There are several more local carnivals usually referred to as ]. In ], and the Hungarian-speaking territories, it is called {{interlanguage link|Húshagyókedd|hu}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://welovebudapest.com/budapest.and.hungary/explainer.farsang.celebrations.in.hungary|title=Explainer: Farsang celebrations in Hungary|author=Amon, Ildi|date=27 January 2015|publisher=welovebudapest.com|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216122931/http://welovebudapest.com/budapest.and.hungary/explainer.farsang.celebrations.in.hungary|archive-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> ({{literally|the Tuesday leaving the meat}}) and is celebrated by fancy dress and visiting neighbours.

==Traditions==
Shrove Tuesday serves a dual purpose of allowing Christians to repent of any sins they might have committed before the start of ] on the next day ] and giving them the opportunity to engage in a last round of merriment before the start of the somber Lenten season, which is characterized by making a ], ], ] and engaging in various ], such as marking a ], fasting, abstaining from luxuries, and reading a ].<ref name="Kelvey2018"/>

The Lenten ] traditionally emphasizes eating simpler, ] food, and refraining from food that would give undue pleasure; as such, Christians historically abstained from meat, eggs and lacticinia (dairy products) during the 40-day fasting season of Lent—a practice that continues in ] (in denominations such as the ]) and among ] congregations practicing the ].<ref name="Samaan2024"/><ref name="RNS2013"/><ref name="Hinton2016"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abbamoses.com/fasting.html|title=The Fasting Rule of the Orthodox Church|website=www.abbamoses.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808184207/http://www.abbamoses.com/fasting.html|archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref> Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding Lent, because they are a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.<ref name="Campbell2005">{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Georgina |title=The Best of Irish Breads and Baking: Traditional, Contemporary and Festive |date=May 2005 |publisher=Georgina Campbell Guides |isbn=978-1-903164-15-0 |page=106 |language=en |quote=Until relatively recently, the Lenten fast was taken so seriously in Ireland that it meant abstaining not only from meat but also eggs and all milk products. The tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday) came about as a practical way of using up the surplus eggs, milk and butter which would otherwise go to waste. Most Irish families still make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and the tradition of tossing pancakes not only survives but actually thrives, providing voter-friendly photo opportunities for politicians and commercial opportunities for the catering trade. }}</ref>

In ] and ], small tokens are frequently cooked in the pancakes. Children take delight in discovering the objects, which are intended to be divinatory. For example, the person who receives a coin will be wealthy; a nail indicates that they will become or marry a carpenter.<ref>{{cite web | title = Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage | url = http://www.heritage.nf.ca/society/custom.html | access-date = 8 March 2011 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110308095324/http://www.heritage.nf.ca/society/custom.html | archive-date = 8 March 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Its Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Day|url=http://www.capebretonpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/2010-02-16/article-1501924/Its-Shrove-Tuesday-and-Pancake-Day/1|publisher=Cape Breton Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305215127/http://www.capebretonpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/2010-02-16/article-1501924/Its-Shrove-Tuesday-and-Pancake-Day/1|archive-date=5 March 2014}}</ref>

===Observances===
], in preparation for Lent; depicted is an Evangelical Lutheran confessional in ] (], Finland)]]
On the final day of Shrovetide, Shrove Tuesday, many traditional Christians, such as ], ], ] and ],<ref name="Walker2011">{{cite web|url=http://articles.dailyamerican.com/2011-03-07/news/29155052_1_pancake-dinner-pancake-day-shrove|title=Shrove Tuesday inspires unique church traditions|last=Walker|first=Katie|date=7 March 2011|publisher=Daily American|access-date=4 January 2016|quote=Many local churches will celebrate Shrove Tuesday tomorrow, a day of feasting commonly known as "pancake day." Shrove Tuesday is typically observed by Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist and Catholic denominations, but each church celebrates the day in its own, unique way. The Rev. Lenny Anderson of the St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Somerset said the primary focus of Shrove Tuesday is to prepare for Lent, the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter.|archive-date=14 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214030411/http://articles.dailyamerican.com/2011-03-07/news/29155052_1_pancake-dinner-pancake-day-shrove|url-status=dead}}</ref> "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with."<ref>{{cite book|title=Shrove Tuesday|last=Kiefer|first=James|publisher=Rowan University}}</ref> As such, many churches offer ] on Shrove Tuesday.<ref name="Lebanon2024">{{cite web |title=Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday Services |url=https://www.lebanonlutheranchurch.org/shrove-tuesday-and-ash-wednesday-services/ |publisher=Lebanon Lutheran Church |access-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216042727/https://www.lebanonlutheranchurch.org/shrove-tuesday-and-ash-wednesday-services/ |archive-date=16 February 2024 |date=6 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Shrove Tuesday |url=https://www.shepherdinthefalls.com/events/shrove-tuesday|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327164804/https://www.shepherdinthefalls.com/events/shrove-tuesday|archivedate=27 March 2022 |publisher=Church of the Good Shepherd |access-date=16 February 2021 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="NWF2014">{{cite web |title=Special events, services for Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday |url=https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2014/02/28/1-284363/33978234007/ |publisher=] |access-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608143052/https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2014/02/28/1-284363/33978234007/ |archive-date=8 June 2023 |date=28 February 2014}}</ref>

On Shrove Tuesday, many Christians finalize their decision with respect to what ]s they will make for Lent.<ref name="JKelvey2018">{{cite web |last1=Kelvey |first1=Jon |title=Strawbridge United Methodist keeps Shrove Tuesday pancake tradition |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-shrove-tuesday-pancakes-20180213-story.html |work=] |access-date=25 February 2020 |language=en |date=13 February 2018}}</ref> While making a Lenten sacrifice, it is customary to ] for strength to keep it; many often wish others for doing so as well, e.g. "May God bless your Lenten sacrifice."<ref>{{cite web |title=What is Shrove Tuesday? Meaning, Traditions, and 2021 Date |url=https://www.christianity.com/holidays/what-is-shrove-tuesday-meaning-and-holiday-date.html |publisher=] |access-date=16 February 2021 |language=English |quote=While undergoing a Lenten sacrifice, it is helpful to pray for strength; and encouraging fellow Christians in their fast saying, for example: "May God bless your Lenten sacrifice."}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Prayer for Lenten Sacrifice |url=http://dioscg.org/prayer-for-lenten-sacrifice/ |publisher=] |access-date=24 February 2020}}</ref>

During Shrovetide, many churches place a basket in the ] to collect the previous year's ] palm branches that were blessed and distributed during the ] liturgies; on Shrove Tuesday, churches burn these ] to make the ashes used during the services held on the very next day, Ash Wednesday.<ref name="DSPNSDAPPC2019"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Shrove Tuesday |url=https://www.timesreporter.com/news/20200218/good-day |publisher=] |access-date=4 April 2020 |language=en |date=18 February 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806074002/https://www.timesreporter.com/news/20200218/good-day |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Festivities=== ===Festivities===
], ]]]
In the ], as part of community celebration, many towns held traditional Shrove Tuesday "]" games, some dating as far back as the 17th century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilks |first=Jon |title=Customs uncovered: Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday |url=https://tradfolk.co/customs/pancake-day-shrove-tuesday/ |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=Tradfolk |date=28 February 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The practice mostly died out in the 19th century after the passing of the ] which banned playing football on public highways.<ref>{{cite book|title=The British Olympics: Britain's Olympic Heritage 1612–2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k0rCTsicBa8C&pg=PA31 |page=31|first=Martin|last=Polley|publisher=English Heritage|year=2013|isbn=978-1-848-02226-3}}</ref> A number of towns have maintained the tradition, including ] in ] (]),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-31510154|title=Hundreds gather for Alnwick Shrovetide game|work=BBC News|date=17 February 2015|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212104853/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-31510154|archive-date=12 December 2016}}</ref> ] in ] (called the ]),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-35523486|title=Ashbourne Shrovetide Football: Up'Ards take honours on first day|work=BBC News|date=9 February 2016|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219030728/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-35523486|archive-date=19 February 2017}}</ref> ] in ] (called simply the ]),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/features/local-history/shrove-tuesday-in-atherstone.shtml|title=Dive for cover – it's the Atherstone Ball Game!|work=BBC News|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107223611/http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/features/local-history/shrove-tuesday-in-atherstone.shtml|archive-date=7 November 2015}}</ref> ] in ] (called ]), and ] in ] (]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/Shrove-Tuesday-pancake-day-events/|title=Shrove Tuesday events|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=3 March 2014|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228083609/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/Shrove-Tuesday-pancake-day-events/|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>


Shrove Tuesday was once known as a "half-holiday" in Britain. It started at 11:00&nbsp;am with the ringing of a church bell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cooksguide.co.uk |title=Cooks Guide |publisher=Cooks Guide |access-date=28 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404152959/http://www.cooksguide.co.uk/ |archive-date=4 April 2014 }}</ref> On Pancake Day, "pancake races" are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated in 1445 when a housewife from ], ], was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the ]s ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her ] and pancake, tossing it to prevent it from burning.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/lent_1.shtml |title=The origin of pancake racing |publisher=BBC |access-date=28 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305125927/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/lent_1.shtml |archive-date=5 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Ideas/Album/Olney-Pancake-Race.htm|title=Olney Pancake Race|work=ukstudentlife.com|access-date=17 February 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729191727/http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Ideas/Album/Olney-Pancake-Race.htm|archive-date=29 July 2015}}</ref> The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, especially ]. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air and catching them in the pan while running.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NWu6sLJn7-kC&q=%22shrove%20tuesday%22%20pancake%20race&pg=PA202|title=Encyclopedia of Traditional British Rural Sports|editor1=Tony Collins|editor2=John Martin|editor3=Wray Vamplew|page=202|publisher=Psychology Press|year=2005|isbn=978-0-415-35224-6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228082845/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=NWu6sLJn7-kC&lpg=PA202&dq=%22shrove%20tuesday%22%20pancake%20race&pg=PA202|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> The pancake race at Olney traditionally has women contestants who carry a frying pan and race over a {{Convert|415|yd|adj=on}} course to the finishing line. The rules are strict: contestants must toss the pancake at the start and the finish, and wear a scarf and apron.<ref name=bbc/>
In England, as part of community celebration, many towns held traditional Shrove Tuesday ] (']') games, dating as far back as the 12th century. The practice mostly died out in the 19th century, after the passing of the ], which banned playing football on public highways. A number of towns have maintained the tradition, including ] in ], ] in ] (called the ]), ] (called the Ball Game) in ], ] (called the ]) in ], and ] (called ]) in ].


Since 1950, the people of ], ], and Olney have held the "International Pancake Day" race between the two towns. The two towns' competitors race along an agreed-upon measured course. The times of the two towns' competitors are compared to determine a winner overall. As of 2021, Liberal leads the competition with 38 wins to Olney's 31.<ref>{{cite web |title=Race Results {{!}} Olney Pancake Race |url=http://olneypancakerace.org/race-results/ |access-date=29 July 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226190625/http://olneypancakerace.org/race-results/ |archive-date=26 February 2021}}</ref> A similar race is held in ] in ], England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/NorthSomercotes/index.asp?docId=53806|title=Welcome to Our Village|publisher=North Somercoates Parish Council|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228091010/http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/NorthSomercotes/index.asp?docId=53806|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>
Shrove Tuesday was once known as a 'half-holiday' in England. It started at 11:00am with the signalling of a church bell.<ref>www.cooksguide.co.uk </ref> On Pancake Day, '''pancake races''' are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife from ] was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the ]s ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake. It remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, particularly in England even today, is the pancake race whereby participants race through the streets whilst tossing pancakes into the air, catching them in the pan whilst running.
]
The tradition of pancake racing had started long before that. The most famous pancake race,<ref></ref> at ] in ], has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a ] and race to the finishing line while tossing the pancakes as they go. The winner is the first to cross the line having tossed the pancake a certain number of times. Traditionally, when men want to participate, they must dress up as a housewife (usually an apron and a bandanna).


In London, the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race takes place every Shrove Tuesday, with teams from the British lower house (the ]), the upper house (the ]), and the ], contending for the title of Parliamentary Pancake Race Champions. The fun relay race is to raise awareness of Rehab, which provides a range of health and social care, training, education, and employment services in the UK for disabled people and others who are marginalised.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/09/mps-had-a-pancake-race-and-it-got-a-bit-rowdy-5671623/|title=MPs had a pancake race and it got a bit rowdy|newspaper=Metro|date=9 February 2016|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228075039/http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/09/mps-had-a-pancake-race-and-it-got-a-bit-rowdy-5671623/|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>
Since 1950 the people of ], ], and Olney have held the "International Pancake Day" race between the two towns. The two towns' competitors race along an agreed-upon measured course. The times of the two towns' competitors are compared, to determine a winner overall. After the 2000 race, Liberal was leading with 26 wins to Olney's 24.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shrove Tuesday |work=British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/lent_2.shtml |accessdate=15 October 2008}}</ref> A similar race is held in ] of Lincolnshire in eastern England.


] race in ], 2009]]
Scarborough, North Yorkshire celebrates by closing off the foreshore road (beach) to all traffic, closing schools early, and inviting all residents to skip in the road. Traditionally, long ropes were used from the fishing ships in the nearby harbour. The town crier rings in the day with the pancake bell, situated on the corner of Westborough (Main Street) and Huntress Row.
] celebrates by closing the foreshore to all traffic, closing schools early, and inviting all to skip. Traditionally, long ropes were used from the nearby harbour. The ] rang the pancake bell, situated on the corner of Westborough (main street) and Huntriss Row. Since 1996 a replica "pancake bell" situated at Newborough and North Street has been rung to initiate the day's festivities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scarboroughuk.co.uk/2015/02/skipping-day-2015-shrove-tuesday.html|title=Skipping Day 2015|publisher=Scarborough.uk|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228084813/http://www.scarboroughuk.co.uk/2015/02/skipping-day-2015-shrove-tuesday.html|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>


The children of the hamlet of ] keep alive a local tradition by visiting local households and asking "please a pancake", to be rewarded with oranges or sweets. It is thought the tradition arose when farm workers visited the wealthier farm and manor owners to ask for pancakes or pancake fillings.<ref>(7 February 2008), , ''Longridge News'', accessed 2010-06-16</ref> Shrove Tuesday in England often involved a form of ritual begging, not dissimilar to ], in which children and adolescents would go door-to-door asking for tidbits from the frying pan. If the household was not forthcoming, they could expect levels of mischief, including the pelting of their house, knock and run, or gate stealing. This was known as Lent Crocking, Nicky-Nan Night, the Drawing of Cloam, Dappy-Door Night, or Pan Sharding.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilks |first=Jon |date= 28 February 2022|title=Customs uncovered: Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday |url=https://tradfolk.co/customs/pancake-day-shrove-tuesday/ |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=Tradfolk |language=en-GB}}</ref> The children of the hamlet of ], ], keep alive a local variant of this tradition by visiting local households and asking "please a pancake", to be rewarded with oranges or sweets. It is thought this local tradition arose when farm workers visited the wealthier farm and manor owners to ask for pancakes or pancake fillings.<ref>(7 February 2008), {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828140439/http://www.longridgenews.co.uk/features/Pancake-traditions-in-village.3756253.jp |date=28 August 2008 }}, ''Longridge News'', accessed 16 June 2010</ref>


In Ireland, the observance of fasting at Lent continued up to the 20th century, with Shrove Tuesday ({{Langx|ga|Máirt na hInide}},<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zxfNCQAAQBAJ&dq=M%C3%A1irt+na+hInide&pg=PT145|title=Impreasin na Gaeilge I – Z: (Fuaim na Gaeilge)|first=Seosamh Mac|last=Ionnrachtaigh|date=2 June 2015|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=9781496984203 |via=Google Books}}</ref> "Tuesday of the ]")<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H2RiAAAAMAAJ&q=M%C3%A1irt+na+hInide+initium|title=The Language of Kilkenny: Lexicon, Semantics, Structures|first=Séamas|last=Moylan|date=7 February 1996|publisher=Geography Publications|isbn=9780906602706 |via=Google Books}}</ref> marking the last day of the consumption of ] for the Lenten period. This was later relaxed, but with three days of fasting observed, Ash Wednesday, ], and Good Friday. It was a tradition that the eldest unmarried daughter would toss the first pancake. If the pancake fell on the floor, she would remain unmarried for the next 12 months. As marriages were not traditionally permitted during the Lenten period, as decreed by the ], weddings on Shrove Tuesday were popular.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mahon|first=Bríd|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39935389|title=Land of milk and honey : the story of traditional Irish food and drink|date=1998|publisher=Mercier Press|isbn=1-85635-210-2|location=Dublin |pages=124–125|oclc=39935389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Hickey|first=Margaret|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1085196202|title=Ireland's green larder : the definitive history of Irish food and drink|date=2019|publisher=Unbound|isbn=978-1-78352-799-1|edition=|location=London|pages=301|oclc=1085196202}}</ref> In some parts of Ireland the ] from Christmas was saved and burnt in the fire for the pancakes. The night was also known as "Skellig Night" in ] and ], during the celebrations, those who were unmarried were taunted with jeers and singing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McGarry|first=Marion|date=15 February 2021|title=The weird historic traditions around Pancake Tuesday in Ireland|url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0224/1117313-pancake-shrove-tuesday-ireland-folklore-history/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=16 February 2021|website=RTÉ Brainstorm}}</ref>
]]]In Finland and Sweden, the day is associated with the ]-filled ] pastry.


In ], in particular in Sweden, Finland and Estonia, the day is associated with the ], a type of ]-filled ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishfood.com/swedish-food-recipes-biscuits-cakes/130-lent-buns-semlor|title=Lent Buns (Semlor)|publisher=swedishfood.com|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228092054/http://www.swedishfood.com/swedish-food-recipes-biscuits-cakes/130-lent-buns-semlor|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref>
===Other traditions===
Another traditional food for this season is a sweet fried ] called ''cenci'', usually served in the shape of a loose knot (a 5&nbsp;cm wide, 20&nbsp;cm long strip of dough one extremity of which is passed through a slit in the middle). In New Orleans and traditional French-speaking communities, such as ], another traditional food is ]. Traditionally the man who ate a bean baked in the cake was crowned the community king for Mardi Gras.


The day is known as ] in ] and ] in ]. It is a celebration of Balto-Finnic origins, which includes both pagan and ecclesiastic traditions, and is often described as a "mid-winter sliding festival".<ref>, Finnish-American Cultural Activities.</ref>
A ] is a ] dish made of a ball of finely ground meal, wetted and patted, rolled into a pancake shape, then roasted in the hot ashes from a ] ]. This was a dish to be eaten at ].<ref name="Gauldie">Gauldie, Enid (1981). ''The Scottish Miller 1700 - 1900''. Pub. John Donald. ISBN 0-85976-067-7.</ref>


Thin pancakes called ] are traditional in Christian festivals in ], ] and ] also at this time of year (]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advantour.com/russia/traditions/maslenitsa.htm|title=Maslenitsa|publisher=advantour.com|access-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205184223/http://www.advantour.com/russia/traditions/maslenitsa.htm|archive-date=5 February 2017}}</ref>
In ] and ], the day is associated with hopes for the coming year. On this day, families go sledding and eat split pea and ham soup. A toy is made from the ham bone by tying the bone to a string and spinning it around to make a whistling noise.


==Dates==
In ], ] and ], people traditionally eat rich pastries such as ], ] or krof (doughnuts).
{{Lent_calendar.svg}}
Shrove Tuesday is exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday, a ] ]. The date can be between 3 February and 9 March inclusive.


Shrove Tuesday occurs on these dates:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nutrias.org/facts/mgdates.htm |title=Mardi Gras Dates |publisher=Nutrias.org |date=30 January 2009 |access-date=28 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212013041/http://nutrias.org/facts/mgdates.htm |archive-date=12 February 2015 }}</ref>
== Dates ==
The date of Shrove Tuesday is dependent on that of ], a ] ]. The date can vary from as early as 3 February to as late as 9 March.


{{Div col|colwidth=12em|small=yes}}
Shrove Tuesday will occur on the following dates in coming years:<ref></ref>
: {{CURRENTYEAR}} – {{Moveable date |holiday=Shrove Tuesday |year={{CURRENTYEAR}} |format=infobox |cite=y}}<!-- no line break here - workaround for ]
{|
-->{{for nowiki|
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|<nowiki>: {{NEXTYEAR|{{{i}}}}} – {{Moveable date |holiday=Shrove Tuesday |year={{NEXTYEAR|{{{i}}}}} |format=infobox}}</nowiki>|count={{#expr:2100-{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}}}
|
{{Div col end}}
* 2011 — 8 March
* 2012 — 21 February
* 2013 — 12 February
* 2014 — 4 March
* 2015 — 17 February
* 2016 — 9 February
* 2017 — 28 February
* 2018 — 13 February
* 2019 — 5 March
* 2020 — 25 February
* 2021 — 16 February
* 2022 — 1 March
|
* 2023 — 21 February
* 2024 — 13 February
* 2025 — 4 March
* 2026 — 17 February
* 2027 — 9 February
* 2028 — 29 February
* 2029 — 13 February
* 2030 — 5 March
* 2031 — 25 February
* 2032 — 10 February
* 2033 — 1 March
* 2034 — 21 February
* 2035 — 6 February
* 2036 — 26 February
|
* 2037 — 17 February
* 2038 — 9 March
* 2039 — 22 February
* 2040 — 14 February
* 2041 — 5 March
* 2042 — 18 February
* 2043 — 10 February
* 2044 — 1 March
* 2045 — 21 February
* 2046 — 6 February
* 2047 — 26 February
* 2048 — 18 February
* 2049 — 2 March
* 2050 — 22 February
|}


==See also== ==See also==
{{portal|Holidays|Food|Christianity}}
*]
{{Colbegin|colwidth=35em}}
*] Monday
* ]
*]
* ] Monday
*]
* ]
*] — United States French-Catholic festival
*] * '']''
*] * ]
* ] – United States French-Catholic festival.
*]
* ]
*]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* '']''
* ]
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==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311044957/https://sites.google.com/site/pancakesotw/ |date=11 March 2014 }} A collection of recipes from different countries
* Sources and quotes concerning Shrove Tuesday customs
*
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2011}}


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Latest revision as of 12:10, 6 December 2024

Tuesday before Ash Wednesday

Shrove Tuesday
Pieter Bruegel the Elder: The Fight Between Carnival and Lent (detail), 1559
Also called
Observed byChristians (including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists)
TypeChristian
ObservancesConfession, the ritual burning of the previous year's Palm Sunday branches, finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice, eating pancakes and other sweets
DateConcluding day of Carnival or Shrovetide; the day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is always placed 47 days before the western Easter Sunday
2024 dateFebruary 13
2025 dateMarch 4
2026 dateFebruary 17
FrequencyAnnual
Related to

Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Tuesday or Pancake Day) is the final day of Shrovetide, marking the end of pre-Lent. Lent begins the following day with Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is observed in many Christian countries through participating in confession; the ritual burning of the previous year's Holy Week palms; finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice; as well as eating pancakes and other sweets.

Shrove Tuesday is observed by many Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists Western Orthodox Christians, and Roman Catholics, who "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with." This moveable feast is determined by the date of Easter. The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word shrive, meaning absolution following confession. Christians traditionally visit their church on Shrove Tuesday to confess their sins and clean their soul, thus being shriven (absolved) before the start of Lent. Since 1958, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Winding Sheet of Christ on Shrove Tuesday.

As this is the last day of the Christian liturgical season historically known as Carnival or Shrovetide, before the penitential season of Lent, related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one might give up as their Lenten sacrifice for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations. The term Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Many Christian congregations thus observe the day through eating pancakes or, more specifically, the holding of pancake breakfasts, as well as the ringing of church bells to remind people to repent of their sins before the start of Lent. On Shrove Tuesday, churches also burn the palms distributed during the previous year's Palm Sunday liturgies to make the ashes used during the services held on the very next day, Ash Wednesday.

In some Christian countries, especially those where the day is called Mardi Gras or a translation thereof, it is a carnival day, the last day of "fat eating" or "gorging" before the fasting period of Lent.

History

The tradition of marking the start of Lent has been documented for centuries. Ælfric of Eynsham's "Ecclesiastical Institutes" from around 1000 AD states: "In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do ". By the time of the late Middle Ages, the celebration of Shrovetide lasted until the start of Lent.

During the liturgical season of Lent, believers have historically abstained from rich foods such as meat, eggs, lacticinia (dairy products), and alcohol—a practice that continues in Eastern Christianity (in denominations such as the Coptic Orthodox Church) and among Western Christian congregations practicing the Daniel Fast. Shrovetide provided Christians with the opportunity to use up these foods prior to the start of the 40-day fasting season of Lent. Prior to the 6th century, Lent was normatively observed through the practice of the Black Fast, which enjoins fasting from food and liquids, with the allowance of one vegetarian meal after sunset. The tradition of pancake breakfasts during Shrovetide, as well as that of pancake races, owes itself to this practice of "using up the surplus eggs, milk and butter" prior to Lent. As such, it was traditional in many societies to eat pancakes or other foods made with the butter, eggs and fat or lard that would need to be used up before the beginning of Lent. Similar foods are fasnachts and pączki. The specific custom of British Christians eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday dates to the 16th century.

Along with its emphasis on feasting, another theme of Shrove Tuesday involves Christians repenting of their sins in preparation to begin the season of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar. In many Christian parish churches, both Protestant and Roman Catholic, a popular Shrove Tuesday tradition is the ringing of the church bells (on this day, the toll is known as the Shriving Bell) "to call the faithful to confession before the solemn season of Lent" and for people to "begin frying their pancakes".

Terminology

Russian artist Boris Kustodiev's Maslenitsa (1916)
Shrove Tuesday, Bear guiding [pl] in Poland (1950)

The word shrove is a form of the English word shrive, which means to give absolution for someone's sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Thus Shrove Tuesday was named after the custom of Christians to be "shriven" before the start of Lent.

In the United Kingdom, Ireland and parts of the Commonwealth, Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday, as it became a traditional custom to eat pancakes as a meal. In Irish the day is known as Máirt Inide, from the Latin initium (Jejūniī), "beginning of Lent." Elsewhere, the day has also been called "Mardi Gras", meaning "Fat Tuesday", after the type of celebratory meal that day.

In Germany, the day is known as Fastnachtsdienstag, Faschingsdienstag, Karnevalsdienstag or Veilchendienstag (the last of which translates to violet Tuesday). It is celebrated with fancy dress and a partial school holiday. Similarly, in German American areas, such as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, it is known as Fastnacht Day.

In the Netherlands, it is known as "vastenavond", or in Limburgish dialect "vastelaovend", though the word "vastelaovend" usually refers to the entire period of carnival in the Netherlands. In some parts of Switzerland (e.g. Lucerne), the day is called Güdeldienstag or Güdisdienstag (preceded by Güdismontag). According to the Duden dictionary, the term derives from "Güdel", which means a fat belly stuffed full of food.

In Portuguese-, Spanish- and Italian-speaking countries, among others, it is known as Carnival (to use the English spelling). This derives from Medieval Latin carnelevamen ("the putting away of flesh") and thus to another aspect of the Lenten fast, to abstain from eating meat. It is often celebrated with street processions or fancy dress.

The most famous of these events has become the Brazilian Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Venetians have long celebrated carnival with a masquerade. The use of the term "carnival" in other contexts derives from this celebration. In Spain, the Carnival Tuesday is named "día de la tortilla" ("omelette day"): an omelette made with some sausage or pork fat is eaten. On the Portuguese island of Madeira, malasadas are eaten on Terça-feira Gorda (Fat Tuesday in English), which is also the last day of the Carnival of Madeira. Malasadas were cooked in order to use up all the lard and sugar in the house, in preparation for Lenten restrictions. This tradition was taken to Hawaii, where Shrove Tuesday is known as Malasada Day, which dates back to the days of the sugar plantations of the 1800s. The resident Catholic Portuguese workers (who came mostly from Madeira and the Azores) used up butter and sugar prior to Lent by making large batches of malasadas.

In the Lutheran countries of Denmark and Norway, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is called Fetetirsdag ("Fat Tuesday"); the prior weekend is known as Fastelavn and is marked by eating fastelavnsboller. Fastelavn is the name for Carnival in Denmark, held either on the Sunday or Monday before Ash Wednesday. This holiday occurs seven weeks before Easter Sunday, with children dressing up in costumes and gathering treats for the Fastelavn feast. The holiday is generally considered to be a time for children's fun and family games and on Shrove Sunday, "the churches hold a special family service where children are invited to wear fancy dress." In Estonia, the day is similarly called Vastlapäev and is generally celebrated by eating pea soup and whipped-cream or whipped-cream and jam-filled sweet-buns called vastlakukkel, similar to the Swedish fastlagsbulle or semla. Children also typically go sledding on this day.

In Iceland, the day is known as Sprengidagur (Bursting Day) and is marked by eating salted meat and peas. In Lithuania, the day is called Užgavėnės. People eat pancakes (blynai) and Lithuanian-style doughnuts. In Sweden, the day is called Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday), and is generally celebrated by eating a type of sweet roll called fastlagsbulle or semla. In Finland, the day is called laskiainen and is generally celebrated by eating green pea soup and a pastry called laskiaispulla (sweet bread filled with whipped cream and jam or almond paste, same as the Swedish semla). The celebration often includes downhill sledging.

In Poland, a related celebration falls on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday and is called tłusty czwartek (Fat Thursday). In some areas of the United States with large Polish-American communities, such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Buffalo, Tłusty Czwartek is celebrated with pączki or faworki eating contests, music and other Polish food. It may be held on Shrove Tuesday or in the days immediately preceding it.

In Slovenia, Kurentovanje is also the biggest and best known carnival. There are several more local carnivals usually referred to as Laufarija. In Hungary, and the Hungarian-speaking territories, it is called Húshagyókedd [hu] (lit. 'the Tuesday leaving the meat') and is celebrated by fancy dress and visiting neighbours.

Traditions

Shrove Tuesday serves a dual purpose of allowing Christians to repent of any sins they might have committed before the start of Lent on the next day Ash Wednesday and giving them the opportunity to engage in a last round of merriment before the start of the somber Lenten season, which is characterized by making a Lenten sacrifice, fasting, praying and engaging in various spiritual disciplines, such as marking a Lenten calendar, fasting, abstaining from luxuries, and reading a daily devotional.

The Lenten fast traditionally emphasizes eating simpler, vegetarian food, and refraining from food that would give undue pleasure; as such, Christians historically abstained from meat, eggs and lacticinia (dairy products) during the 40-day fasting season of Lent—a practice that continues in Eastern Christianity (in denominations such as the Coptic Orthodox Church) and among Western Christian congregations practicing the Daniel Fast. Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding Lent, because they are a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.

In Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island, small tokens are frequently cooked in the pancakes. Children take delight in discovering the objects, which are intended to be divinatory. For example, the person who receives a coin will be wealthy; a nail indicates that they will become or marry a carpenter.

Observances

On Shrove Tuesday, many Christians confess their sins, in preparation for Lent; depicted is an Evangelical Lutheran confessional in Luther Church (Helsinki, Finland)

On the final day of Shrovetide, Shrove Tuesday, many traditional Christians, such as Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Roman Catholics, "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with." As such, many churches offer Confession on Shrove Tuesday.

On Shrove Tuesday, many Christians finalize their decision with respect to what Lenten sacrifices they will make for Lent. While making a Lenten sacrifice, it is customary to pray for strength to keep it; many often wish others for doing so as well, e.g. "May God bless your Lenten sacrifice."

During Shrovetide, many churches place a basket in the narthex to collect the previous year's Holy Week palm branches that were blessed and distributed during the Palm Sunday liturgies; on Shrove Tuesday, churches burn these palms to make the ashes used during the services held on the very next day, Ash Wednesday.

Festivities

Football match in the 1846 Shrove Tuesday in Kingston upon Thames, England

In the United Kingdom, as part of community celebration, many towns held traditional Shrove Tuesday "mob football" games, some dating as far back as the 17th century. The practice mostly died out in the 19th century after the passing of the Highway Act 1835 which banned playing football on public highways. A number of towns have maintained the tradition, including Alnwick in Northumberland (Scoring the Hales), Ashbourne in Derbyshire (called the Royal Shrovetide Football), Atherstone in Warwickshire (called simply the Atherstone Ball Game), St Columb Major in Cornwall (called Hurling the Silver Ball), and Sedgefield in County Durham (Sedgefield Ball Game).

Shrove Tuesday was once known as a "half-holiday" in Britain. It started at 11:00 am with the ringing of a church bell. On Pancake Day, "pancake races" are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated in 1445 when a housewife from Olney, Buckinghamshire, was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake, tossing it to prevent it from burning. The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, especially England. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air and catching them in the pan while running. The pancake race at Olney traditionally has women contestants who carry a frying pan and race over a 415-yard (379 m) course to the finishing line. The rules are strict: contestants must toss the pancake at the start and the finish, and wear a scarf and apron.

Since 1950, the people of Liberal, Kansas, and Olney have held the "International Pancake Day" race between the two towns. The two towns' competitors race along an agreed-upon measured course. The times of the two towns' competitors are compared to determine a winner overall. As of 2021, Liberal leads the competition with 38 wins to Olney's 31. A similar race is held in North Somercotes in Lincolnshire, England.

In London, the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race takes place every Shrove Tuesday, with teams from the British lower house (the House of Commons), the upper house (the House of Lords), and the Fourth Estate, contending for the title of Parliamentary Pancake Race Champions. The fun relay race is to raise awareness of Rehab, which provides a range of health and social care, training, education, and employment services in the UK for disabled people and others who are marginalised.

A pancake race in Olney, Buckinghamshire, 2009

Scarborough celebrates by closing the foreshore to all traffic, closing schools early, and inviting all to skip. Traditionally, long ropes were used from the nearby harbour. The town crier rang the pancake bell, situated on the corner of Westborough (main street) and Huntriss Row. Since 1996 a replica "pancake bell" situated at Newborough and North Street has been rung to initiate the day's festivities.

Shrove Tuesday in England often involved a form of ritual begging, not dissimilar to wassailing, in which children and adolescents would go door-to-door asking for tidbits from the frying pan. If the household was not forthcoming, they could expect levels of mischief, including the pelting of their house, knock and run, or gate stealing. This was known as Lent Crocking, Nicky-Nan Night, the Drawing of Cloam, Dappy-Door Night, or Pan Sharding. The children of the hamlet of Whitechapel, Lancashire, keep alive a local variant of this tradition by visiting local households and asking "please a pancake", to be rewarded with oranges or sweets. It is thought this local tradition arose when farm workers visited the wealthier farm and manor owners to ask for pancakes or pancake fillings.

In Ireland, the observance of fasting at Lent continued up to the 20th century, with Shrove Tuesday (Irish: Máirt na hInide, "Tuesday of the initium") marking the last day of the consumption of meat for the Lenten period. This was later relaxed, but with three days of fasting observed, Ash Wednesday, Spy Wednesday, and Good Friday. It was a tradition that the eldest unmarried daughter would toss the first pancake. If the pancake fell on the floor, she would remain unmarried for the next 12 months. As marriages were not traditionally permitted during the Lenten period, as decreed by the Council of Trent, weddings on Shrove Tuesday were popular. In some parts of Ireland the holly from Christmas was saved and burnt in the fire for the pancakes. The night was also known as "Skellig Night" in Counties Cork and Kerry, during the celebrations, those who were unmarried were taunted with jeers and singing.

In Fennoscandia, in particular in Sweden, Finland and Estonia, the day is associated with the semla, a type of almond paste-filled sweet roll.

The day is known as Laskiainen in Finland and Vastlapäev in Estonia. It is a celebration of Balto-Finnic origins, which includes both pagan and ecclesiastic traditions, and is often described as a "mid-winter sliding festival".

Thin pancakes called blini are traditional in Christian festivals in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia also at this time of year (Maslenitsa).

Dates

Shrove Tuesday and other named days and day ranges around Lent and Easter in Western Christianity, with the fasting days of Lent numbered

Shrove Tuesday is exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday, a moveable feast based on the cycles of the moon. The date can be between 3 February and 9 March inclusive.

Shrove Tuesday occurs on these dates:

2024 – February 13
2025 – March 4
2026 – February 17
2027 – February 9
2028 – February 29
2029 – February 13
2030 – March 5
2031 – February 25
2032 – February 10
2033 – March 1
2034 – February 21
2035 – February 6
2036 – February 26
2037 – February 17
2038 – March 9
2039 – February 22
2040 – February 14
2041 – March 5
2042 – February 18
2043 – February 10
2044 – March 1
2045 – February 21
2046 – February 6
2047 – February 26
2048 – February 18
2049 – March 2
2050 – February 22
2051 – February 14
2052 – March 5
2053 – February 18
2054 – February 10
2055 – March 2
2056 – February 15
2057 – March 6
2058 – February 26
2059 – February 11
2060 – March 2
2061 – February 22
2062 – February 7
2063 – February 27
2064 – February 19
2065 – February 10
2066 – February 23
2067 – February 15
2068 – March 6
2069 – February 26
2070 – February 11
2071 – March 3
2072 – February 23
2073 – February 7
2074 – February 27
2075 – February 19
2076 – March 3
2077 – February 23
2078 – February 15
2079 – March 7
2080 – February 20
2081 – February 11
2082 – March 3
2083 – February 16
2084 – February 8
2085 – February 27
2086 – February 12
2087 – March 4
2088 – February 24
2089 – February 15
2090 – February 28
2091 – February 20
2092 – February 12
2093 – February 24
2094 – February 16
2095 – March 8
2096 – February 28
2097 – February 12
2098 – March 4
2099 – February 24
2100 – February 9

See also

References

  1. ^ Kelvey, Jon (13 February 2018). "Strawbridge United Methodist keeps Shrove Tuesday pancake tradition". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 25 February 2020. Many churches—Anglican and Methodist—celebrate Shrove Tuesday then as the beginning of the season of lent, a time to reflect and repent of wrongdoings. But, as Howard notes, it's also called Fat Tuesday, a time to load up on rich food before Lent (40 Days). "For some people it's Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, a time to fatten up before you give something up," he said.
  2. ^ Cocks, Alfred Heneage (1897). The church bells of Buckinghamshire: their inscriptions, founders, and uses, and traditions; &c. Jarrold & sons. p. 276.
  3. ^ "Shrove Tuesday burning of the Palms". aranzazushrine.ph. DSPNSDA PPC. 2 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  4. Walker, Katie (2011). Shrove Tuesday inspires unique church traditions. Archived 2016-02-14 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Provine, Darren (2014). Shrove Tuesday
  6. ^ Kane, Paul (15 December 2023). "Pancake Day facts!". National Geographic. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  7. ^ Melitta Weiss Adamson; Francine Segan (2008). Entertaining from Ancient Rome to the Super Bowl. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0313086892. In Anglican countries, Mardis Gras is known as Shrove Tuesday-from shrive meaning "confess"—or Pancake Tuesday—after the breakfast food that symbolizes one final hearty meal of eggs, butter, and sugar before the fast. On Ash Wednesday, the morning after Mardi Gras, repentant Christians return to church to receive upon the forehead the sign of the cross in ashes.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. Fr. Lawrence Carney. "The Holy Face of Jesus: Shrove Tuesday". Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  9. Matthew Plese (16 February 2021). "Reparation to the Holy Face on Shrove Tuesday". Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  10. "Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast & Worship". Bishop United Methodist Church. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  11. "Shrovetide". Catholic Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  12. ^ Self, David (1993). One Hundred Readings for Assembly. Heinemann. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-435-80041-3.
  13. ^ Samaan, Moses (9 April 2009). "The Meaning of the Great Lent". Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii. Retrieved 10 March 2024. The Church teaches us to fast until sunset. Fish is not allowed during this period. Also married couples should refrain from physical relations to give themselves time for fasting and prayer (1 Cor. 7: 5). We would like to emphasize the importance of the period of strict abstention during fasting. It is refraining from eating and drinking for a period of time, followed by eating vegetarian food. ... True fasting must be accompanied by abstention from food and drink until sunset as designated by the Church.
  14. ^ "Lent: Daniel Fast Gains Popularity". HuffPost. Religion News Service. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2018. In some cases, entire churches do the Daniel Fast together during Lent. The idea strikes a chord in Methodist traditions, which trace their heritage to John Wesley, a proponent of fasting. Leaders in the African Methodist Episcopal Church have urged churchgoers to do the Daniel Fast together, and congregations from Washington to Pennsylvania and Maryland have joined in.
  15. ^ Hinton, Carla (20 February 2016). "The Fast and the Faithful: Catholic parish in Oklahoma takes up Lenten discipline based on biblical Daniel's diet". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 27 March 2022. Many parishioners at St. Philip Neri are participating in the Daniel fast, a religious diet program based on the fasting experiences of the Old Testament prophet Daniel. ... participating parishioners started the fast Ash Wednesday (Feb. 10) and will continue through Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.
  16. ^ Campbell, Georgina (May 2005). The Best of Irish Breads and Baking: Traditional, Contemporary and Festive. Georgina Campbell Guides. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-903164-15-0. Until relatively recently, the Lenten fast was taken so seriously in Ireland that it meant abstaining not only from meat but also eggs and all milk products. The tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday) came about as a practical way of using up the surplus eggs, milk and butter which would otherwise go to waste. Most Irish families still make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and the tradition of tossing pancakes not only survives but actually thrives, providing voter-friendly photo opportunities for politicians and commercial opportunities for the catering trade.
  17. ^ Butler, Alban (1839). The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church. Dublin: James Duffy. p. 144-146. The primitive Christians in Lent broke their fast only after sunset, and then usually only with herbs, roots, and bread. At least all were obliged to abstain not only from flesh meat, but also from fish, and whatever had life; also whatever is derived from flesh, as eggs, milk, cheese, butter, according to the ancient canon. Likewise from wine, which in the primitive ages was no less forbidden on all fasting days than the use of flesh meat itself ... Some mitigations were introduced in part of abstinence in the sixth century ... Fish was in the same age allowed, but not of the dearer and more dainty kinds.
  18. Butler, Alban (1774). The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church. C. Kiernan. p. 257. It is undoubted, that anciently to drink on fasting days was no less forbid than to eat, only in the refection after sunset.
  19. Butler, Alban (1774). The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church. C. Kiernan. p. 257. It is undoubted, that anciently to drink on fasting days was no less forbid than to eat, only in the refection after sunset.
  20. ^ Collins, Tony; Martin, John; Vamplew, Wray (2005). Encyclopedia of Traditional British Rural Sports. Psychology Press. p. 202. ISBN 978-0415352246. The association between pancakes and Shrove Tuesday appears to have its origins in the fact that the pancakes used up food such as butter, eggs and fat that were prohibited during Lent, which begins the following day on Ash Wednesday. ... Pancakes have been eaten on Shrove Tuesday since at least the sixteenth century. In some parishes, it was the custom for the church bell to ring at noon as the signal for people to begin frying their pancakes.
  21. Stephens, Valerie (2016). Basic Philosophy. p. 21. ISBN 978-1329951747. Then there is Shrove Tuesday, which is the day observed before Ash Wednesday or Lent. Shrove Tuesday derives from the days when the earliest practising Christians would repent of their sins and be "shriven" or pardoned.
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External links

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