“No one lights a lamp in order to hide it behind the door; the purpose of light is to create more light, to open people's eyes, to reveal the marvels around.” ― Paulo Coelho
A metaphor to the victory of ‘good’ over evil, the power of lights is undeniable. From the light of the sun to mark the beginning of a new day, to our inner radiance which guides us; lights are an integral part of our existence. Celebrating the spirit of liberation, here’s a peek into some of the popular festivals across the world where lights carry significance.
St. Lucia’s Day –
Sweden, Italy, Croatia, Scandinavia, and France celebrate St. Lucia’s Day on December 13 every year. Marking the beginning of Christmas, this festival begins before dawn wherein the eldest daughter in each household leads her siblings into songs. They hold candles and sing about the light and joys of Christmas. Their songs are meant to awaken their parents and the entire family who then has breakfast together. It is a way of welcoming the season of Christmas with lights and warmth.
Lunar New Year –
Different cultures have different interpretations of how to celebrate a festival of Lights. The Lunar New Year or the Chinese New Year is another festival of lights. Every year, at the first new moon in Aquarius, people living in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and China celebrate their new year with fireworks, lanterns and gifts.
Hanukkah –
Popularized over the decades and most recently in the reruns of the popular sitcom ‘Friends’, the Jewish festival of Hanukkah goes on for eight days. Candles are lit every day and children receive new gifts on each of these eight days. The lighting of candles also symbolises knowledge and wisdom.
Christmas –
Christmas is one of the most famous festivals celebrated all over the world. Lights, star shaped lanterns, gifts, Santa Claus, candles – it is a festival of joy. Different countries celebrate Christmas differently though.
In Egypt, it is celebrated on January 6 and 7. Churches there are decorated with special lamps and people indulge in prayers, feasts and happiness.
In Philippines, 'parols' or star lanterns are displayed from nine days before Christmas. People decorate their homes with varying sizes of parols.
In China, people put up paper lanterns in their homes. They also decorate Christmas trees with paper chains, flowers and lanterns.
In Mexico, families go around from house to house with candles looking for a room in an inn. They start this tradition nine days prior to the day of Christmas in an attempt to replicate or enact Joseph and Mary’s search in Jerusalem. The procession is called Posada.
In Australia, houses are decorated in advance. Greeting cards are sent out, carols are sung and candles are lit.
Undoubtedly, the American Christmas has become the most popular. Lights, candles, carols, fireworks and feasts – Christmas in America is incomplete without all these things.
New Year – Brazil
Brazilians celebrate December 31 in their own special way. On the eve of the New Year, people in Rio de Janeiro go to the beach at midnight to offer their prayers to Lemanja, the African goddess of water. Hundreds of candles are lit on the sand and white flowers are offered to the sea as a gift to the goddess.
Kwanzaa, in the United States, is a week-long celebration to honour African harvest traditions. It is observed from December 26 to January 1 every year. Seven candles are lit each night for all seven days of the festival. The candles represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa which are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Diwali –
Last but not the least; we have our very own festival of lights, Diwali or Deepavali is one of the most popular and the most awaited festivals in India. Diwali marks the home coming of ‘Lord Ram’ after his 14 year exile and is a symbol of hope and all that is good. This festival brings people together as it dispels darkness around. Deepavali actually means row of lamps in Sanskrit and the sight of tiny clay lamps or diyas lined up in all homes and shops is a picturesque sight. These diyas are illuminated throughout the night as part of Hindu tradition. Although now fast being replaced by colourful electric bulbs, the sheer brightness only adds fervour to the festive season.
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