Distaff Day

It is an unofficial holiday in catholic nations, celebrated the day after Epiphany and sometimes called Roc or Rock Day. The term distaff or roc is used in spinning which was the medieval symbol of women’s work. 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 be woven into cloth. Often the men and women would play pranks on each other during this celebration, as described in the poem “St. Distaff’s Day” which was written by Robert Herrick.