LANTERN FESTIVAL | CULTURAL TRADITIONS | NOVEMBER
From Martinmas Childhood Magic to Grownup Curiosities
Exploring the Lantern Festival’s traditions across cultures
The thin veil between worlds.
November brought with it an eerie ambiance, with its early sunsets and the slow loss of daylight.
I was peacefully reflecting and writing in my journal as the sun sank below the horizon. Memories were coming back again as I was indulging in roasted chestnuts (a symbol of the soul of the deceased).
The flickering lights created lengthy shadows that appeared to reach into the mysteries of the past.
It was as though the ancients were waking up in the waning light to whisper the mysteries of long-lost realms. It was just after Samhain, when the veil between worlds was thin.
My childhood memory of crafting lanterns and connections
My cousin Atlanta and I used to love the Martinmas Lantern Walk.
Our Waldorf school joyfully embraced many festivals to connect with nature’s rhythm and create community relationships.
In the depths of our witchy souls, we loved the mystique of the lantern creation.
Atlanta and I would prepare our ingredients and tools, infusing our lanterns with a creative touch that reflected our connection to nature.
We gathered leaves from the nearby forest to decorate our lanterns. Each leaf offered a unique rustic scent and appeal. The rustle of the leaves and their earthy aroma became an essential component of our lantern-making ritual.
It felt as if we were weaving a piece of the forest into the fabric of our celebration.
We added another layer of magic by writing chants that resonated with the spirit of Martinmas. With each verse, we felt a deeper connection to our ancestors.
As we joined the procession on the evening of the Lantern Walk, our lanterns provided a warm and flickering glow on the route ahead. The soft, dwindling lights blended with the procession, filling the night with a mirage of colors and moving shadows.
By the end, we were freezing with joy, excitement, and hunger. How satisfying it was to come back home together after the festival! We would have dinner with the whole family, with roasted duck and potatoes cooked by my grandmother!
For us, the Lantern Walk was more than just a way to celebrate St. Martin and the coming winter. It was the symbol of our common creativity, connection to nature, and enduring relationship between cousins.
My ever-growing curiosity for Martinmas
As a grownup, I will always have these great memories to dwell on. My curiosity about the Lantern Festival and Martinmas led me to do a bit of research on the ramifications of this tradition in Europe.
Martinmas, commemorated on November 11, honors St. Martin, the merciful patron saint of beggars. It is based on a French tradition that talks of Martin’s unselfish act of shredding his cape to clothe a beggar.
In a divine response, God intensified the sunlight, eliminating the need for a cloak. This story left such an imprint on Catholic countries like Portugal that they coined a saying for warm November weather, dubbing it the “Summer of Saint Martin,” or Verão de São Martinho.
As winter comes, Martin’s cloak represents sharing with those in need.
The Lantern Walk, a peaceful event held around Martinmas, features homemade lanterns and a peaceful walk that promotes reverence and tranquility.
Drawing parallels with Allhallowtide, Martinmas, or “Old Halloween,” fell on November 1st, before the calendar transition from Julian to Gregorian. Nowadays, it’s celebrated on November 11.
In regions like Galicia, Portugal, and the Iberian Peninsula, a unique tradition involves savoring roasted chestnuts, known as Magosto, Magusto, or Castañada.
As a side note, earlier this year, in Burgos, Spain, we found the famous La Castanera. Read my story here.
“Chestnuts as such, not only served to energize the bell ringers, but there was the belief that for every chestnut that was eaten that night, a soul was freed from purgatory. That is why not only those responsible for ringing the bells ate them, but also everyone who wanted to free their deceased.” Curiosities about la Castanyada
Moreover, there are also large bonfires in church squares, similar to Bonfire Night in the UK, signaling the advent of winter.
These regional customs provide a distinct twist to Martinmas while preserving its cultural richness and culinary delights.
To explore the historical context of Martinmas in the British Isles references like the Folklore Journal or Origins and Inventions by William Pulleyn provide valuable insights.
Curtain Call with Shakespeare
I close this story with the verses of William Shakespeare and a short video of the life of Saint Martin of Tours. I hope you enjoyed my account of childhood memories and the connections to folklore.
In the play King Henry VI, Shakespeare acknowledged “St. Martin’s Little Summer,” highlighting the enduring cultural significance of this ancient celebration.
“Assign’d am I to be the English scourge. This night the siege assuredly I’ll raise. Expect Saint Martin’s summer, halcyon days, Since I have entered into these wars.”
References
- Sacred and Legendary Art by Anna Brownell Jameson (1891), p. 720–728. Online Book on Google Books: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Sacred_and_Legendary_Art/dUUMAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1
- Martin W. Walsh (2000) Medieval English Martinmesse: The Archaeology of a Forgotten Festival, Folklore, 111:2, 231–254, DOI: 10.1080/00155870020004620
- Origins and Inventions by William Pulleyn, pages 224–225 Online Book on Google Books: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Origins_and_Inventions/24TjyfHl2JIC?hl=en&gbpv=1
- Castanyes, article in Barcelona, Festivals and Traditions: https://www.barcelona.cat/culturapopular/en/festivals-and-traditions/food-and-drink/castanyes
- 5 curiosities you didn’t know about “La Castanyada”, Naturaki: https://www.naturaki.com/en/castanyada/
Gabriela is studying to become a full-stack developer while being a mother of three small kids. This requires her to pay for some graduate programs and boot camps to gain experience. She is writing articles on Medium and Substack to inspire others and fund her journey.
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