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)
DarkStormCrow
Excellent shot, well done...
csikigyopar
mi piace imaginea...grazie
lucindawind
wow amazing!! excellent shot
mariogiannecchini
Molto bella l'immagine , di grande effetto e interessante la spiegazione allegata .
tennesseecowgirl
I am coming next year and bringing a big bag of marshmallows :)
MagikUnicorn
Great shot...Beautiful fire of joy :)
Thetis
amazing capture! hope the wind went right :)
amota99517
Awesome shot!
andrewl
Wonderful image great fire , need it now as heating has just packed up, can feel the heat from here. :)
Marinette
... conoscevo a grandi linee questa storia , ma il tuo approfondimento arricchito con quello di Mark ,rendono questo racconto veramente speciale. Grazie Sandra!!! Anche per esserti fermata nella mia galleria.:-) gea
SIGMAWORLD Online Now!
Excellent photo!
bebert
heu.. c'est pour faire fondre la neige ?? LOL Belle photo !! ce feu est impressionnant !
jocko500
time to bring out the hot dogs. lol anyway this is a wonderful shot of what going on. that a big fire
myquad
Stunning shot!
carlx
Amazing capture!!!
Biffowitz
Fantastic image, love the rich colors and contrast!
Star4mation
Superb photo Sandra!! Makes me feel warm just looking at it :)
dakotabluemoon
Cool shot been waiting for this one to come up and great story.
virginiese
excellent shot ! very difficult one. I knew the Beffana but my family never celebrated this event !
ShadowsNTime
One can nearly see the devil in that fire! Its a beautiful picture and the story really brings it to life in ones mind! Fantastic series Sandra!!!
blondeblurr
o.k. this is the shot, I was waiting for, well done BB
knupps
Looks great. You made a nice shot there.
ragouc
Great...
0rest4wicked
Fantastic image! Catching the blaze at twilight composes the background lighting so well!
giovanino
Gorgeous work and lovely light and effects!
stevey3d
Wonderful shot! Excellent colour Sandra!
Minda
great capture and info sandra..
1358
fire scared away the evil spirits that plagued our ancestors... but still, in our deepness, we need the fire to dispell the fear, the hate, the wrongs that are thrust on us... fire is ancient and powerful... we need the fire! beautiful work!
Buffalo1
Nothing like a holiday bonfire. A tradition everywhere!