The Bonfire No.1 by sandra46
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Description
This is the first post of the Panevin (bread and wine) or Epifany Bonfire in Padova, 20 metres high and just put on fire by the firefighters at about 5.30 pm.
The New Year’s bonfires are a popular tradition in the Northeast with large bonfires usually either on the eve or the same day of Epiphany. Given its prevalence, there are many versions and names: in Friuli is said Pignarul (pignarûi plural), in Veneto Panevin or panaìn (from bread and wine bread and wine, poor food is consumed during the fire) pirola, (word), vecia (old woman: the pyres may take the form of a puppet), in the lower Friuli and Veneto Orientale also fogher or cooking, from fogo, fire.
The Celts lit fires to ingratiate himself with the deity, and burned an effigy representing the past. It was the olg hag aspect of the Celtic Triple Goddess known in Ireland as Brighid (Bridget). The flame symbolizes both the burning of the old year and the vital force of renewal, according the very old Indo-European tradition symbolized by ther Fire god Agni in India and by the goddess as a young maid.
The direction of the sparks is read as an omen for the future: in Friuli and Veneto if they head east, there will be good fortune in the months to come, if heading west will be time to go in search of fortune. Note then the Friulian proverb 'If the smoke goes to the west, take the bag and go to the world [migrate in search of work], if the smoke goes instead to the east, take the sack and go to the market', and a variant of the Eastern Veneto: 'If the sparks are to the east, take the bag and go to flour, and if the sparks are to the west, bread and cauldron full of polenta'. While the fires burned, the peasants in circles screamed and sang various formulas. The burning is sometimes blessed by the priest with holy water and the crackling of the fire was identified with the devil fleeing angry. Another belief considered that the fall of the cross or pole that supports the pyres can bring harm. In some areas it had to remain standing for at least eight days. The rite of fires is also a time when the community gathers to be in company. It's accompanied by a tasting of mulled wine and pinza, a cake typical of this festival and once sometimes cooked through the same fires. More in the next postings.
Thanks for your kind comments.
Comments (59)
flora-crassella
oh Sandra!!!! This is sooooooo wonderful!!!! FANTASTIC picture!!!!!
Hendesse
Impressive shot. Fantastic colors.
Faemike55
Great photo and wonderful information about this rite!
brycek
Awesome capture and information!!
kbrog
Excellent capture! Fantastic background for it, love the sky! And who doesn't like to wtach fire dance. :D
rocserum
great hot and info! RS
bmac62
Oh, boy...what a shot. You've captured all that fire and smoke and a bit of the mystery of it all. Excellent.
mermaid
so special colors in this superbe shot of the traditional bonfire, so well done!
lyron
Fantastic image. Excellent capture!!!
Miska7
Very nice scene. Great lighting and colour! Excellent capture.
magnus073
Sandra this is so breathtaking and so hard to look away from. Thank you so much for the detailed history, it makes this so complete.
drifterlee
Oh, fantastic!!!!! I would love to be there!!!!!
bazza
Lovely shot of this bonfire Sandra and the history that goes with it.. What happens if the smoke goes to the north or south? do they all run for their life lol Excellent capture..
durleybeachbum
Great pic..very exciting. I love the narrative too.
giareg
Great details in this fantastic image.
jmb007
superbe photo info interessante!!!
claude19
I love that you give explanations on the different traditions of the Epiphany fire ... A cousin may be the fire of St. John! A report may be as unconscious memories with the protection of men against beasts.
JaneEden
Amazing sight and excellent photography, thanks also for the very interesting intro!! hugs Jane xx
jeroni
Beautiful composition. excellent work
clbsmiley
Wow
!!Wow!! and thanks for the info!! :)Nickieboy2004
Lovely image, wonderful series of pictures!
Radar_rad-dude
A most spectacular and marvelous bonfire and capture! I really am enjoying reading the histories of this pageant! A most wonderful and informative posting! Thank you again, Sandra, for your marvelous sharing of history and events!
Richardphotos
I can see the outline of a devil in the fire.must have warmed the chill of the night
anahata.c
a real cornucopia, Sandra, and a whale of a shot of fire--esp against that dramatic sky & against the lit facades surrounding the square. There's so much lore here, and you've fleshed out more of the fire and its origins, and more about the old 'hag' too. (Sorry, I just can't get past the horror of that, given Europe's history towards murdering women, even though it's old and I'm sure you know many variations of it throughout the world. It's just so stunning...) I studied Agni a bit, remember his name in the poems of the Rig Veda (and that the name is cognate with our "ignite"), and even heard some yogis & yoginis recite prayers to Agni to bring light upon all of us. But you've gone from the IE roots through the Celts through local myths to the present, and the many readings of the flames & symbolizing the old & the new, etc, is such rich tapestry. It's so good that these rites have stayed alive through centuries. A beautiful series, as all of yours are; and I look forward to the next. This pic, with the brooding sky and huge flame, is an awakener! I love the contrasts you caught. I'll be back for the next!
mgtcs
Amazing image and great information, love the colors, perfect shot!
MrsLubner
This looks so inviting...a celebration I'd feel very close to and one that brings people together. Old or not, it is a wonderful tradition. Great shot.
psyoshida
I've been waiting to see this (since you told us about it) and I'm not disappointed. Fantastic shot and again a very descriptive and informative history. I await the next post to find out the outcome.
renecyberdoc
polenta??national plate ,i never ate it but know it by name. very interesting insight of the "custumbres" of old.the elder where closer to the "real thing" i guess,nowadays maybe too much diversion,everyone is cooking his own brew. ps thanks for the sophisticated (lol)comments on my rants -i love it.
wysiwig
At last we have ignition! What a breathtaking image, and wonderful, engrossing history. Very impressive. I also can see a devil's head at the top of the flames.
myrrhluz
Beautiful capture! Love the purple sky, glorious fire and bits of sparks flying off. Wonderful information as well!