The days of Carnival vary each year, as the definition of the dates depends on Easter; understand
Carnival 2023 will be on February 20 and 21 respectively, Monday and Tuesday. But, with no fixed date, the revelry starts on a different day each year. So how to know what are the days of carnival?
The days of the feast are defined according to the calendar of the Catholic Church. The variable elements are the fixed dates of Easter, the changing seasons and the lunar calendar.
How are the days of Carnival defined?
The criteria for defining the days of Carnival have existed since 325 AD, during the First Council of Nicaea. At the time, the Catholic Church defined that the date of Easter would be the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs after the vernal/autumn equinox. Thus, seven Sundays are counted retroactively to arrive at Carnival Sunday.
As explained by the geographer Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco, from Brasil Escola, the the equinox is a natural phenomenon in which day and night have the same duration., 12 hours each. This phenomenon occurs only twice a year, usually around March 21st and September 23rd.
It is the equinoxes that define the changes of the seasons: in March spring begins in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern one; in September, the opposite occurs: autumn in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere.
With the end of Carnival, on Ash Wednesday, Catholics begin Lent, a period in which they devote themselves to fasting, abstinence from meat and prayers in preparation for Easter.
Does Carnival always fall in February?
Since the church first defines one of its holiest dates, Easter Sunday, and then determines the days of Carnival, the revelry can take place in February or March. This is because the holiday marks the time of freedom before Lent.
When are the next Carnival holidays?
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Carnival 2024 – 02/12 and 02/13
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Carnival 2025 – 03/03 and 03/04
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Carnival 2026 – 16/02 and 17/02
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Carnival 2027 – 02/08 and 02/09
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Carnival 2028 – 28/02 and 29/02
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
