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Donkees

(31,384 posts)

3. The Befana name doesn't seem to have any relationship to the word epiphany either ...

Reply to FSogol (Reply #2)

Sun Dec 23, 2018, 04:47 PM

Dec 2018

It just translates as 'hag', from her aspects in the ancient pagan traditions in that region. The Christian Epiphany celebration coincided with the pagan agricultural calendar of fertility rituals, honoring ancestors and nature spirits, preparing for new growth, etc.

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FSogol's 2018 Advent Calendar Day 23: La Befana - Italy's Christmas Witch [View all] FSogol Dec 2018 OP

Pagan origins Donkees Dec 2018 #1

True, thanks for posting. Most Christian rituals have pagan roots. n/t FSogol Dec 2018 #2

The Befana name doesn't seem to have any relationship to the word epiphany either ... Donkees Dec 2018 #3

I don't claim to know ancient or modern greek, but you have to admit FSogol Dec 2018 #4

The 'ana' part of the word is a feminine ending, ''antefana, jordana, galileana ..." Donkees Dec 2018 #5