Twelfth Night, or Epiphany Eve
Twelfth Night, or Epiphany Eve, marks the final evening of the Twelve Days of Christmas, celebrated on January 5. The observance of Twelfth Night gained traction in Europe during the Middle Ages and spread to America, although its prominence has diminished in modern culture. Historically, this date corresponds with January 6, known as Old Christmas Eve, which aligns with the Julian calendar's celebration of Christ's Nativity. The tradition likely evolved from pagan celebrations of the winter solstice and became particularly festive in England during the Tudor period, featuring elaborate feasts, processions, and performances, including Shakespeare's famous play "Twelfth Night."
By the 18th century, the grandeur of the celebrations began to wane, and by the 19th century, many traditional customs had largely faded. However, elements of Twelfth Night festivities influenced early American celebrations, particularly in the South, where they were characterized by joyful gatherings. Notably, George Washington chose this date for his wedding to Martha Custis in 1759. While Twelfth Night as a distinct celebration has declined, some of its customs continue to resonate, particularly in the context of Mardi Gras, which signifies the end of the carnival season that begins on this night.
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Twelfth Night, or Epiphany Eve
Twelfth Night, or Epiphany Eve
The last evening of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas is known as the Twelfth Night, or Epiphany Eve. Twelfth Night observances gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages and spread to America, although today the custom has fallen into obscurity in the popular culture. January 5 is also referred to as Old Christmas Eve. According to the Old Style or Julian calendar, Christmas, celebrating Christ's Nativity, fell on what is now January 6 according to the New Style or Gregorian calendar in common use today.
The Christian observance of the Twelve Days of Christmas, culminating with Twelfth Night, may have developed from the pagan custom of marking the natural phenomenon of the winter solstice for a number of days. The tradition was firmly embedded in Europe, especially in England, from the 11th century onwards, but reached its height during the reign of the Tudor monarchs Henry VIII (1509–1547) and Elizabeth I (1558–1603). Elaborate pageants, processions, and songfests, combined with feasting and dancing, were planned for the pleasure of the nobility and royalty under the direction of a mock official known as the Lord of Misrule. The Elizabethan period saw the introduction of magnificent Twelfth Night dramatic productions. For a number of centuries, miracle plays about the Three Kings had traditionally been performed at this time of year. Staged at first in church sanctuaries to illustrate the religious meaning of the coming of the Wise Men, the dramas later became so secular in tone that they were eventually banned in churches. However, not only did the custom of presenting religious dramas continue to flourish outside church confines, but the staging of secular tragedies, comedies, and historical chronicles also became a Twelfth Night feature, notably in court circles. William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night was probably first presented as a command performance for Queen Elizabeth I at Whitehall Palace on January 6, 1601; her successor, James I (1603-1625), had seven of Shakespeare's plays and two of Ben Johnson's performed to celebrate his second Christmas season (1604/1605) as king of England. In the 18th century, the lavish celebration of Twelfth Night began to lose its appeal, especially in the more elevated social circles. By the 19th century, extensive observance of the occasion had practically died out, although scattered remnants of the ancient festivities survived.
Several of the Twelfth Night customs were introduced into the American colonies. The feasting and revelry flourished especially in the South, where the Christmas season was a time for joy and merriment. In 1759, for example, George Washington regarded Twelfth Night as an appropriate date for his wedding to Martha Custis. The event was marked with a yule log, firecrackers, greenery, and a sumptuous banquet. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, there were many secular observances of Twelfth Night throughout the United States, but the custom has rapidly dwindled. One exception is with respect to Mardi Gras, which traditionally represents the end of a carnival season that began at Twelfth Night.