Why do we eat tamales on Candlemas Day?

On February 2nd, families and groups of friends will gather to enjoy all kinds of tamales and atole to celebrate Candlemas Day. The best part is that Mexicans can enjoy sweet and savory tamales wrapped in corn husks, banana leaves, or Swiss chard. As for the atoles, there are countless flavors: strawberry, walnut, chocolate, rice, cajeta, marzipan, among other flavors. In Mexico, on January 6th, the traditional Rosca de Reyes is cut, which is usually accompanied by hot chocolate or other hot beverages. When the rosca is cut, the person who finds a small figure of the Baby Jesus has to prepare or buy tamales and atole for their family or friends, but where does this tradition come from?You can also read: Atole and tamales for Candlemas DayWhy do we eat tamales and atole on February 2nd?Regardless of the Catholic celebration, during which parishioners go to churches and dress their Baby Jesus in special clothing, most Mexicans enjoy a tamal and a cup of atole during Candlemas Day. According to information published by the federal government, on February 2nd, tamales are eaten because the Catholic celebration coincided with the day when corn was blessed according to the Aztec calendar. For its part, the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples points out that Spanish colonizers realized that Candlemas Day coincided with the celebration in honor of Tláloc, the god of rain and the beginning of the agricultural cycle. The National Institute of Anthropology and History mentions that during the celebrations marking the start of the rainy season, natives used to offer tamales to the gods. Therefore, we can see that although colonization arrived on Aztec soil and the Catholic religion dominated the territory, the culinary jewel of pre-Hispanic gastronomy transformed and has reached our days.You can also read: Atole for CandlemasOur best tamale and atole recipesGet to work and prepare our best tamale and atole recipes to celebrate February 2nd:Rajas con Queso TamalesRompope AtoleTamal SandwichHomemade Walnut AtoleSwiss Chard TamalesGuava and Rice AtoleCheese and Blackberry TamalesPinole AtoleRed Chicken TamalesEasy Peanut AtolePork Crackling Tamales in Green SaucePot Coffee AtoleSweet Tamal RoscaCajeta AtoleChicken-Filled Tamal RoscaCempasuchil AtoleWalnut TamalesLow-Calorie ChampurradoTable Chocolate TamalesTamarind Atole