The celebration of Candlemass originated as a tribute to the light of God's glory that was manifested in Christ Jesus. The date of February 2nd places the Candelaria celebration forty days after Christmas. It is also the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The tradition want that during the Candlemass day all the candles in the house are blessed!
I remember my grandma was used to say: "Candelora dell'inverno semo fora" (tras. It's candelora and the winter is almost finished)