La Befana Research Paper

On the 12th and final day of Christmas (January 6), processions honoring the three Wise Men weave around Florence. In the fading light, flames dance over figurines in the streets of northeast Italy, symbolizing the turn of a new leaf. For some, children especially, Epiphany is a source of joy, candy, and incentive to behave. For other older children and adults, it’s more complex holiday.

Legend has it that an old lady, la Befana, was asked by the three Wise Men if she could direct them to the Messiah. When she was unable, the Wise Men offered to let her accompany them so she might too get to present a gift to him. When she declined, the Wise Men departed, but soon after, she had a change of heart. But it was too late; the procession was nowhere to be found. Determined to bring her gift to the baby Jesus, she flies on her broomstick in search of him, giving well-mannered children bits of candy and ill-behaved kids lumps of coal on the night of January sixth. (“The Legend of ‘La Befana’”)

However, originally a religious holiday honoring the Magi, other religious ceremonies, namely Pagan rituals, and regional folklore have morphed Epiphany into a unique custom particular to individual regions throughout Italy that combines religious

(Zimmerman) While there are inherent similarities between how Epiphany and Christmas are celebrated (reconnect with family, eat big meals, Santa/la Befana, etc.) Epiphany is almost a more pointed holiday particularly when in comparison to Christmas in America. Santa as we know him here—a jolly, bearded, bespectacled, old man— typically doesn’t have the same type of mythos attached to him as la Befana. Additionally, Epiphany imagery is not as commercialised in Italy as Christmas is in both the U.S. and Italy, hence it not being well-known outside predominantly practicing Christian