Hillaria
The Hillaria was a holy week festival honouring Kybele and Attis, celebrated in Ancient Rome, during the period when Kybele's worship had become a mystery cult.
It was one of the only times when Roman citizens and non-initiates were allowed to participate in the Magna Mater's rites: participation in 'foreign' cults was usually forbidden to Romans.
It was one of the only times when Roman citizens and non-initiates were allowed to participate in the Magna Mater's rites: participation in 'foreign' cults was usually forbidden to Romans.
Observance
The festival ran from the 22nd to the 28th March, with a preliminary celebration on the Ides of March. The days of the festival were dedicated to different parts of the Attis myth.
15th March: Canna Intrat (The Reed Enters)
Celebrating the birth of Attis, bundles of reeds were cut and brought to Kybele's temple.
22nd March: Arbor Intrat (The Tree Enters)
Commemorating the death of Attis. A pine tree was cut down and decorated with his image.
23rd March: Tubilistrium (an existing holiday dedicated to Mars which was incorporated into Holy Week)
The tree was formerly laid to rest in Kybele's temple, in a procession including the priesthoods of both Mars and Kybele/Attis.
24th March: Dies Sanguinis (Day of Blood)
A day of frenzied mourning, in which devotees would whip themselves and offer their blood to Kybele and Attis. The ritual castration of new Galli would take place on this day.
After nightfall, the tree-effigy would be placed in a ritual tomb.
25th March: Hilaria (Rejoicing)
On the vernal equinox of the Roman Calendar, devotees celebrated Attis's ressurection.
26th March: Requieto (Day of Rest)
27th March: Lavatio (Washing)
Kybele's sacred stone was taken in procession from her temple to a stream outside the city limits, where it was bathed. The return procession took place at night, by torchlight.
28th March: Initium Caiani
The day on which new devotees were initiated into the Kybeline Mysteries.
15th March: Canna Intrat (The Reed Enters)
Celebrating the birth of Attis, bundles of reeds were cut and brought to Kybele's temple.
22nd March: Arbor Intrat (The Tree Enters)
Commemorating the death of Attis. A pine tree was cut down and decorated with his image.
23rd March: Tubilistrium (an existing holiday dedicated to Mars which was incorporated into Holy Week)
The tree was formerly laid to rest in Kybele's temple, in a procession including the priesthoods of both Mars and Kybele/Attis.
24th March: Dies Sanguinis (Day of Blood)
A day of frenzied mourning, in which devotees would whip themselves and offer their blood to Kybele and Attis. The ritual castration of new Galli would take place on this day.
After nightfall, the tree-effigy would be placed in a ritual tomb.
25th March: Hilaria (Rejoicing)
On the vernal equinox of the Roman Calendar, devotees celebrated Attis's ressurection.
26th March: Requieto (Day of Rest)
27th March: Lavatio (Washing)
Kybele's sacred stone was taken in procession from her temple to a stream outside the city limits, where it was bathed. The return procession took place at night, by torchlight.
28th March: Initium Caiani
The day on which new devotees were initiated into the Kybeline Mysteries.
Related Organizations
