Why do children walk with lanterns on St. Martin's Day? The symbolism of light in pre-Christian and Christian traditions Every year on November 11, as the early evening falls, the streets of cities and villages in Germany, Austria, parts of Switzerland, the Netherlands, Flanders, and other regions of Central Europe are illuminated by a twinkling procession: hundreds of children with bright homemade lanterns (Laternenumzug) sing songs in honor of St. Martin. This poetic custom, which seems like a simple children's festival, is actually a complex culturally-historical phenomenon where pre-Christian agrarian rituals, Christian hagiography (life writing), and social pedagogy are intertwined. Historical Core: Two Legends About St. Martin St. Martin of Tours (c. 316–397 AD) is one of the most revered figures in Western Christianity. Two episodes from his life are most important for the tradition: The division of the cloak (half to the beggar). Being a Roman soldier, Martin met a shivering beggar at the gates of Amiens. With his sword, he cut his military cloak (paludamentum) in half and gave one part to the beggar. In the next night, he dreamed that Christ, clad in this half-cloak, appeared to the angels and said, “Martin, still only an enlightener (that is, preparing for baptism), with this cloak you clothed me.” This act of charity (caritas) became the central virtue associated with the saint. Hiding in the chicken coop and being elected bishop. According to the legend, when the inhabitants of Tours decided to elect Martin as their bishop, the humble monk, who did not want such honor, hid in a chicken coop. However, the honking geese revealed his whereabouts. This amusing story, likely of later origin, explained the connection of the saint with geese, which became a traditional dish on St. Martin's Day (Martinsgans). Pre-Christian Roots: Fire at the Beginning of the “Dark” Time of the Year The date of November 11 is not chosen by chance. In the Roman calendar, it ... Read more