Holiday

[Oznell]

November 11 is such an important date for us, Veterans Day, on which we honor those who have served.

It also marks an ancient European holiday, "Martinmas".    (Remember "Michaelmas", which occurs in September?)

Martinmas honors St. Martin of Tours, born in Hungary in the 300's A.D.,  who became a Roman soldier, and after his conversion, a bishop.

While still a soldier, he is famous for encountering a drunken beggar and cutting his cloak in half with his sword, so that the beggar could be clothed.  He's come to sympbolize kindness and the impulse to share. 

He captured the popular imagination, and that of famous artists, and I love the array of different paintings of various periods, showing him in the act of dividing his cloak for the beggar:

This one was done by Van Dyck--

And this one by El Greco--

Martinmas Traditions:

Martinmas has been observed in many places, including the Netherlands, Britain, Austria, Germany, Poland, Malta, Sweden, and many more.

Children still participate in lantern processions in the Netherlands and bordering countries.  Harvest is done, winter approaches, and feasting ( typically on roast goose) occurs.  An almond paste pastry is traditional in Poland.

Children in Germany cover all bases, with lanterns and jack-o'-lanterns!

There's an old folk tradition, that if it's icy and cold on Martinmas, November 11, then it will be milder ( wet and mucky) during the rest of the winter.  So you might want to notice the weather on November 11!

‘Ice before Martinmas,
Enough to bear a duck.
The rest of winter,
Is sure to be but muck!’

A beautiful way to honor altruism of all kinds.

[deepwaterdotter]

"Sharing is Caring."

[Bonkers1]

@Oznell 

Thank you very informative.

[PA Mom-mom]

@Oznell  Well, there you go again with another interesting holiday. Since this one has German connections, I had to check it out in Pennsylvania. Turns out it's mainly celebrated in colonial museums and the like. I'm still looking for any towns that celebrate this holiday, but I see that St. Martin of Tours Parish in Philly has quite the celebration.

All these feast days are making me hungry!

[on the bay]

Very interesting. I never knew about any of this. Thanks for posting about it @Oznell

[Enufstuff]

@Oznell  I have always been interested in the lives of saints, since high school age. I was not familiar with the story of

Saint Martin of Tours. I love that story of his sharing his cloak.

 This is a time when so many need our caring and sharing.

  Martinmas is a lovely tradition. Thank you for sharing this story.

[Bookplate]

Thank you, @Oznell, for the information on Martinmas.  I had heard of this but couldn't have told you when it was or the significance.

One other piece of calendar awareness - in the UK and Canada the day is known as Remembrance Day or Poppy Day, and you see many citizens (and definitely royals) wearing poppies in their lapels.  The poppy symbolism stems from the WWI poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae:

     In Flanders fields the poppies blow

     Between the crosses, row on row

     The larks, still bravely singing, fly

     Scarce heard amid the guns below.

     We are the dead. Short days ago

     We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

     Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

     In Flanders fields.

    Take up our quarrel with the foe:

     To you from failing hands we throw

     The torch; be yours to hold it high.

     If you break faith with us who die

     We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

     In Flanders fields.

[on the bay]

@Bookplate,

Thanks for that info too.

In a fashion thread here I saw Prince Harry wearing a poppy in his lapel.

[Oznell]

Good luck on your hunt, @PA Mom-mom !   Observance seems to be scarce in America.  Oh-- there is that school that observes, I came across it online.  Can't remember the name, and it may not be in Pennsylvania...

@Enufstuff ,  I've always been interested in them too.  Not being Catholic, I never knew much about many of them, but they led fascinating lives, often of great sacrifice and dedication. The Welsh and Cornish medieval saints, still have remnants of broken holy wells and ruined chapels, dotting the countryside, where pilgrimages used to abound.  Love some of the names--  Endellion, Keyne, Ellyw, Petroc, Teilo, Mabyn, Cadfan....

Thank you for that, @Bookplate !   I spent most of my childhood and teenage years in Ontario, and always wore the poppy for Remembrance Day.  The poem is so poignant. 

[jlkz]

@PA Mom-mom 

Friday:  Happy Birthday and 🎂 at the Spring House Tavern !!!