The Befana according to tradition
According to Christian tradition, the Befana is linked to the Three Wise Men (Magi). “Epiphany takes away all the festivities,” and it is certainly a beloved holiday, especially among children. On the night between January 5th and 6th, all the children eagerly await the arrival of the friendly old lady, the Befana, who, on her magical flying broom, fills the stockings hung by little dreamers by the chimneys with candies and sweets.
The first Befana
Tradition holds that the first Befana in history was the nymph Egeria, the advisor to Numa Pompilius, the second of the seven kings of Rome. At the Calends of January, around the end of December, the king had a habit of hanging a stocking in the cave where the goddess lived, near the Baths of Caracalla, and in the morning he would find it filled not with gifts, but with good advice. In the religion of the ancient Romans, there was also Strenia, associated with the cult of health. On the first day of the year, the Romans exchanged gifts to honor the goddess and wish for a good and prosperous year. It is the goddess Strenia who gives her name to the “strenna”!
Another tradition linked to the ancient Romans was that of the goddess Abundia. Twelve days after December 25th, during the Roman festival of Sol Invictus, Abundia, the goddess of abundance, was celebrated, bringing fortune and prosperity for the new year. Some traces of pagan myths survived even after the arrival of Christianity, until a new figure was created that combined influences from both traditions.
The legend of the Magi
Originally, the Befana symbolized the year just passed, an old year just like her, and the gifts she brought were symbols of good fortune for the coming year. The legend tells that the Magi, on their way to Bethlehem, stopped to knock on the door of an elderly lady to ask for directions. After receiving information from the woman, the Magi thanked her and invited her to follow them to pay homage to Jesus.
The old woman refused and went back inside, but as soon as the three had left, she convinced herself that she had made a mistake. So she went outside and set off in search of the Kings. Unable to find them, she knocked on every door, leaving gifts for all the children in the hope that one of them might be the Christ Child. From that day on, the old lady continues to wander the world, distributing sweets and gifts to good children and coal to the naughtiest ones.
Other Legends
The Redeemed Witch
Another legend portrays the Befana as a good witch. It is said that she was once an evil witch, but over time, she repented of her misdeeds. To redeem herself, she began bringing gifts to good children on the night of Epiphany. For those who misbehaved, however, she left only coal as a reminder to improve. Today, coal is often represented as a black candy, a playful symbol of this ancient tradition.
The Mother Searching for Her Child
In a more poignant version, the Befana is a mother who has lost her child and wanders in search of him. When she hears of Jesus’ birth, she thinks he might be her child. Thus, on the night of Epiphany, she brings gifts to all the children, hoping that one of them is hers. This act of love and generosity has transformed her sorrow into a tradition dedicated to the little ones.These legends reflect the dual nature of the Befana: a magical and mysterious figure, but also a bearer of love and hope.
The Origin of the Word “Befana”
The word “Epiphany” has Greek origins and means “appearance” or “manifestation”. It is the day that celebrates Jesus, visited by the Three Wise Men and recognized as the Son of God. It is from the term “Epiphany” that the Latin word “Befana” was derived through lexical corruption. In popular imagination, the Befana is an old woman with a long nose and a pointed chin who travels on a broomstick, delivering gifts to all children on the night between January 5th and 6th, carrying a heavy sack filled with toys, chocolates, and candies, along with a good amount of ash and coal.
The Befana flies over rooftops and, descending down chimneys – symbols of the connection between earth and sky – fills the stockings left hanging by children. They prepare a plate with a mandarin or an orange and a glass of wine for the kind old lady. The next morning, the children find their stockings filled with treats and gifts, and the meal consumed, with the imprint of the Befana’s hand on the ash scattered in the plate.
In the past, it was not stockings that were filled, but shoes placed at the foot of the bed. Later, stockings became preferred as they could stretch and hold more gifts. The nursery rhyme goes, “The Befana comes at night with shoes all broken, with a Roman hat, long live the Befana!” We know she wears a long dark skirt, an apron with pockets, a shawl, and a scarf or a big hat on her head, but she is not a grim figure because she is full of colorful patches.
Epiphany and Pagan Rites
Before becoming the day of adoration for the Three Wise Men, various pagan rites were celebrated on Epiphany. Some peoples burned a piece of wood to exorcise the deprivations of the past. Others would sit at the table with their farm animals nearby to prevent them from learning to speak. For the Romans, between the end of December and January 6th, the goddess Diana flew over cultivated fields to make them fertile, bringing gifts of fruit or ancient sweets to children.
In ancient times, it was believed that the twelve days from Christmas to January 6th were magical, and that on the twelfth night, miracles and wonders could occur: animals would gain the power of speech, bed sheets would turn into lasagna, water would transform into wine or shining gold, and walls would become ricotta.
In some Italian regions, it is even believed that the dead awaken to return to their loved ones and knead the Epiphany bread together with them, performing various purifying rites similar to those of Carnival to drive away evil from the fields by making a great noise with pots and lighting large fires or constructing straw effigies in the shape of an old woman, which are burned during the night between January 5th and 6th.
Epiphany in Europe
In Europe, Epiphany is celebrated in various ways. In Spain, on January 6th, all children wake up early to see the gifts left by the Three Wise Men. The day before, they place a glass of water and something to eat for the thirsty and hungry camels at their door.
In France, a special cake is made on Epiphany, which hides a bean inside. Whoever finds it becomes the king or queen of the feast.
In Iceland, January 6th is called the thirteenth, as thirteen days pass from Christmas to this date. It is the last day of the festive period, during which they say goodbye to Christmas. The celebration begins with a torchlight procession attended by the king and queen of the elves. Halfway through, the last of the Santas, the thirteenth, also arrives. The torchlight procession ends with a bonfire and fireworks.
In Romania, the celebration of Epiphany represents the coming of the Three Wise Men and is a public holiday, just like here in Italy.
Even today, in some countries, children go along the streets and knock on doors to ask if they can come in and tell stories. Usually, they receive some small change as a reward. Priests also go from house to house to bless the homes.
And you, have you prepared your stockings?
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