Martinmas is the holiday that occurs between Michaelmas and Christmas on November 11th. St Martin is best known for his act of kindness towards a poor beggar he encountered who was freezing in the Winter cold. Martin used his sword to cut his cloak into two pieces, giving one to the beggar. This act of compassion gave the beggar hope and comfort. The traditional symbol for the Martinmas holiday is the lantern. The lantern is the symbol of our own inner light, which we can shine into a dark world. In Waldorf schools, we celebrate the holiday by holding a ?lantern walk?.