Because we are greedy and love pancakes – well, some of us are. But why on Shrove Tuesday in particular? The answer lies in the day that follows – Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
Lent is the period of forty days that leads up to Easter. It corresponds to the forty days Jesus Christ spent in the wilderness. He did not have much to eat during that time and life was tough for him. So the Christian Church saw Lent as a way of letting Christians experience something of his hardship. In the past people used to go without food, and today people still give up favourite things between Ash Wednesday and Easter Day.
The time just before the start of Lent was a good opportunity for a last-minute fling. There used to be parties and games. Everyone tried to have one really good feed and that is where pancakes came in. They were not just tasty. They had religious significance as well. Pancakes are made from eggs, flour, salt and milk. The eggs were a symbol of creation. Flour represented life. Salt stood for health. And milk meant purity. Mixed together and eaten on Shrove Tuesday they were a perfect way to start Lent – as they still are, especially with sugar and lemon, or maple syrup, or honey, or jam, or golden syrup, or… well, use your own imagination.
Picture Credit : Google
