Distaff Day, also called Roc Day or Rock Day,[1][better source needed] is 7 January, the day after the feast of the Epiphany. It is also known as Saint Distaff's Day, one of the many unofficial holidays in Catholic nations.
The distaff, or roc, used in spinning was the medieval symbol of women's work.[1] In many European cultural traditions, women resumed their household work after the twelve days of Christmas. Women of all classes would spend their evenings spinning on the wheel. During the day, they would carry a drop spindle with them. Spinning was the only means of turning raw wool, cotton or flax into thread, which could then be woven into cloth.
Men have their own way of celebrating this occasion, called Plough Monday, the first Monday after Epiphany when men are supposed to get back to work. Every few years, Distaff Day and Plough Monday fall on the same day.
Often the men and women would play pranks on each other during this celebration, as described by Robert Herrick in his poem "St. Distaff's Day",[2] which appears in his Hesperides (1648). In the 20th century, Herrick's poem was set to music.[3]
Some modern craft groups have taken up the celebration of Distaff Day as part of their New Year celebrations. Distaff Day gatherings are held, large and small, throughout local fiber communities.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abc"How did you celebrate St. Distaff's Day?". Interweave.com. 2013-01-11. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
^Robert Herrick (1902). "St. Distaff's Day". In James L. Ford; Mary K. Ford (eds.). Every Day in the Year: A Poetical Epitome of the World's History. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
^Desmond MacMahon (1939). Nelson's New National and Folk Song Book; pt. II. London: Thomas Nelson. pp. 136–137.
External linksedit
Chambers' Book of Days – January 7
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distaff, also, called, rock, better, source, needed, january, after, feast, epiphany, also, known, saint, distaff, many, unofficial, holidays, catholic, nations, date7, januarynext, time7, january, 2025, 2025, frequencyannual, distaff, used, spinning, medieval. Distaff Day also called Roc Day or Rock Day 1 better source needed is 7 January the day after the feast of the Epiphany It is also known as Saint Distaff s Day one of the many unofficial holidays in Catholic nations Distaff DayDate7 JanuaryNext time7 January 2025 2025 01 07 Frequencyannual The distaff or roc used in spinning was the medieval symbol of women s work 1 In many European cultural traditions women resumed their household work after the twelve days of Christmas Women of all classes would spend their evenings spinning on the wheel During the day they would carry a drop spindle with them Spinning was the only means of turning raw wool cotton or flax into thread which could then be woven into cloth Men have their own way of celebrating this occasion called Plough Monday the first Monday after Epiphany when men are supposed to get back to work Every few years Distaff Day and Plough Monday fall on the same day Often the men and women would play pranks on each other during this celebration as described by Robert Herrick in his poem St Distaff s Day 2 which appears in his Hesperides 1648 In the 20th century Herrick s poem was set to music 3 Some modern craft groups have taken up the celebration of Distaff Day as part of their New Year celebrations Distaff Day gatherings are held large and small throughout local fiber communities 1 References edit a b c How did you celebrate St Distaff s Day Interweave com 2013 01 11 Retrieved 2018 01 12 Robert Herrick 1902 St Distaff s Day In James L Ford Mary K Ford eds Every Day in the Year A Poetical Epitome of the World s History New York Dodd Mead amp Co Retrieved 2019 05 26 Desmond MacMahon 1939 Nelson s New National and Folk Song Book pt II London Thomas Nelson pp 136 137 External links editChambers Book of Days January 7 nbsp This holiday related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Distaff Day amp oldid 1210747148, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
