Why is there always coal in the Christmas stocking? And what origins does the Befana have? Why are sweets placed inside a sock?
According to some popular stories it is said that the Magi during the journey to bring gifts to the baby Jesus in the city of Bethlehem, they asked an old lady for information.
After showing them the way, the old lady regretted not having followed them.
The story goes that, shortly after meeting the Magi, the old lady decided to prepare a basket full of sweets and delicacies and to give them to every child she met on her way.
Thus was born the figure of the Befana who travels the world with her basket full of delicious sweets!
The sock tradition: where does it come from?
Why do you give a stocking full of sweets during the Epiphany?
There are numerous legends that tell the origins of the sock, here are the two best known:
1-The first legend has as its protagonist one of the seven kings of Rome, Numa Pompilius, who used to hang a stocking inside a cave waiting to receive gifts from a magical creature during the winter solstice. Over time this figure became magical and it is said that his food gifts (sweets and fruit) were primitial offerings.
2-The second legend, on the other hand, refers to the importance of the sock as a garment to keep your feet warm during the winter and to its use as a perfect container to use for any need.
The Befana comes at night with her shoes all broken…
Today, inside a sock for the Epiphany you can find everything, however tradition provides for precise rules.
According to tradition cattolica those who have behaved well will find many goodies inside their stocking such as candies, chocolates e games; on the contrary, those who have behaved badly will only find soft coal considered a symbol of punishment.
"the Befana comes at night with her shoes all broken.... "
This nursery rhyme was born with the intention of passing on the gift of kindness to children.
Instead of the classic socks, some children used to leave their shoes in plain sight, in this way the Befana who owned very worn shoes could take them and thank them by leaving delicious sweets in their place!
>> And you? Have you chosen your stocking for the Epiphany yet? Discover them all! > Discover i products for the Epiphany
Why is coal given away?
One of the characteristics of this holiday is that the Befana gives coal to those who have not been good during the year. But: where did this custom come from? Why coal?
Other popular legends tell that during the winter solstice it was customary to burn some puppets as a symbol of renewal and that the ash, in some way, represented purification.
This symbolism represents the past year and the hope of a new year full of opportunities and unmissable occasions.
So to the question: should I add coal inside the Epiphany stocking? Absolutely yes!
In the dedicated section of our shop you can find the individually wrapped black charcoal to give to friends, relatives, brothers and sisters or whoever you want.
In addition to coal, don't forget to insert candies of various types: click on the link below to learn about the advice of Universal Dolce on sweets that can't be missing inside the stocking for the Befana!
