St. Distaff’s Day is traditionally held in January, the day after the feast of the Epiphany, one of many unoffical holidays in Catholic nations. The distaff used in spinning was the medieval symbol of women’s work. The day, which was also known as Roc Day (referring to another name for either the distaff or the spindle) indicated that this was the end of the Christmas festivities and the return to the normality of spinning whenever there was a spare moment. 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 then be woven into cloth. Men have their own way of celebrating this occasion; this is done through Plough Monday. It is the first Monday after Epiphany where men are supposed to get back to work.