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Tossing the pancake, Shrove Tuesday, Westminster School
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Tossing the pancake, Shrove Tuesday, Westminster School
Tossing the pancake on Shrove Tuesday at Westminster School, London.
19th century
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 23272224
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Crinoline Days Frying Pancake Shrove Throwing Toss Tossing Tradition Tuesday Westminster
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Tossing the Pancake: A Traditional Rite of Passage at Westminster School, London, on Shrove Tuesday, 19th Century This photograph, taken in the late 19th century, captures the lively and time-honored Shrove Tuesday tradition at Westminster School in London. Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, is a time-honored occasion for feasting and merrymaking before the solemn period of fasting and reflection. In this image, a group of young boys, dressed in their formal school uniforms, gather around a large frying pan, eagerly anticipating their turn to participate in the age-old custom of "tossing the pancake." The boys' crinoline-clad companions, their skirts billowing around them, stand by, ready to catch the flying pancakes. The boys' faces are filled with excitement and concentration as they take turns flipping the pancake high into the air, their classmates cheering them on. The tradition of tossing the pancake dates back centuries and is believed to have originated from the ancient pagan festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated the coming of spring. Over time, the custom evolved into a Christian observance, symbolizing the renewal of life and the casting away of sins. This photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily life and traditions of a Victorian-era school, providing a window into the past and the enduring spirit of community and camaraderie that continues to be an essential part of the human experience.
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