Befana turned them away because she was too busy cleaning.

Hundreds of Befana's are present, swinging from the main tower.

But Befana could not find them or the stable.

In recent years, it has become more closely associated with the Befana folk tradition.

Befana notices a bright light in the sky; she thinks this is the way to baby Jesus.

That night she was not able to find them, so to this day, La Befana is searching for the little baby.

Three of her creations, including La Befana, are found in zone 4.

The Befana is celebrated throughout all of Italy, and has become a national icon.

Befana still searches today, after all these centuries.

Having done this, the Befana and her company receive a glass of wine, or a bite to eat, and continue on.

On January 6th, children set out stockings to be filled by the "good witch" Befana.

The team of anthropologists also wrote about Befana as a figure that evolved into a goddess associated with fertility and agriculture.

On the eve of the Epiphany, Befana comes to a house where there is a child and leaves a gift.

Three places in Italy are nowadays associated with the Befana tradition:

"La Befana" will be in the "Culture and Tradition" section.

In Italy, the good witch called Befana visits the children at Christmas time.

It is said that La Befana set out to bring the baby Jesus gifts, but got lost along the way.

According to some scholars the Befana tradition is derived by the Strenua cult.

In Italy today, candy images of Befana, and statues are available during the Season.

Befana spends her days cleaning and sweeping.

There are poems about Befana, which are known in slightly different versions throughout Italy.

My mother says that the Befana customs differ somewhat from region to region, in Italy.

In Italy, the three Wise Men visited an old woman named Befana.

Early in the evening an indeterminate number of people gather, and Befana takes to the streets accompanied by her husband and entourage.

Italian children regard Old Befana as a kind of Santa Claus.