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Ceremonial Use of Lights Around the World

CEREMONIAL USE OF LIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD AARTI VARANSI, INDIA Nightly 30 The nightly ritual of Aarti is a Hindu fire festival performed in the ancient Indian city Varansi located on the banks of the Ganges. Honouring the holy river, Gods and deities, hundreds of twinkling lights and candles are set out to float upon the Ganges' waters whilst conch shells are blown and people take part in fire dancing and chanting. Hindus aim to visit Varansi to witness Aarti at least once in their life as it is believed that attending brings them purification and godly blessings. LAMPADEDROMIA GREECE 30 5 x Yearly Meaning 'torch-race', this ancient Greek ceremony took place in Athens to honour the gods, Hephaestus and Prometheus, as well as Athena. The ceremony is based on relighting the sacred fire, a gift said to have come from the god Promethesus. Flaming torches were carried by runners from the outskirts of Athens to the Acropolis and the winner earned the honour of lighting the official flame. This ceremony was resurrected in 1936 by the Nazis to mark the start of the Olympic Games and the torch-relay continues to this day. CANDLEMAS EUROPE 2nd February 30 Taking place on 2nd February, this Christian festival marks the midpoint of winter. Christians use this day to remember the presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple forty days after his birth, and in pre-Christian times, it was known as the 'Feast of Lights' to celebrate winter giving way to spring. February 2nd eventually came to be known as Candlemas as it was when all the candles which were to be used in the Church during the coming year, were brought into the church to be blessed. ОBON JAPAN 30 July/ August This long-standing Japanese tradition is dedicated to departed loved ones as they return to this world on their annual visit. Shining lanterns are hung in the entrances of houses to guide them home, people visit their ancestors' graves and many make food offerings at house altars and temples. As Obon concludes, the lanterns are taken to various waterside locations and set adrift to light the spirits' path back to their world. DIWALI INDIA October / November 30 Diwali, short for Deepvali which translates as 'row of lamps', is a celebration of the Hindu New Year and is practiced across many parts of South East Asia but is most widely practiced in India. Taking place over a four day period between mid-October and December, Hindus fill their homes and gardens with clay oil lamps or candles to welcome the goddess Laksmi into their homes and to vanquish lurking demons. LOI KRAHTONG & YI PENG THAILAND 30 November Yi Peng and Loi Krahtong, are rituals carried out to honour Buddha, bring good fortune and to fulfil wishes. Whilst Loi Krahtong involves releasing candles into bodies of water, Yi Peng, celebrated in Chiang Mai, involves releasing lanterns, transforming the night's sky into a glittering sea of tiny golden lights. Joining in with these magical ceremonies provides the opportunity of reflection and allows the freeing of personal demons and negativity. GUY FAWKES ENGLAND, UK 5th November 30 Also known as Bonfire Night, this festival originates from the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The roguish Guy Fawkes conspired to assassinate the Protestant King James I of England by blowing up the House of Lords and replacing him with a Catholic Head of State. Needless to say, Fawkes' plan did not succeed and he was subsequently arrested and executed. Every year since, bonfires have been lit to celebrate the safety of the King, dummies of Guy Fawkes are burned and spectators enjoy a display of fireworks. HANUKKAH WORLDWIDE 30 November/ December Meaning dedication, Hanukkah remembers the miraculous victory of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Empire and the repossession of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Its most important ritual is the candle lighting in which, for each of Hanukkah's 8 nights, a new candle is added to remember the ancient days of religious persecution and the rededication of the Temple. ST. MARTIN'S DAY HOLLAND & GERMANY llth November 30 Celebrated in many parts of Europe, but most predominantly in Germany and The Netherlands, St Martin's Day takes place on November llth and is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. Celebrating the values of modesty and altruism, it was histori- cally followed by a fast lasting up until Christmas. On St. Martin's eve many people light bonfires and children walk in processions carrying lanterns. FÊTE DES LUMIÈRES LYON, FRANCE 30 Early December Paying homage to the Virgin Mary, the Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) takes place every year in Lyon at the beginning of December. Lyon's resi- dents fill their window sills and balconies with can- dles and then head out to wander the illuminated streets of the city. The traditional festival has evolved into a unique spectacle of light, transform- ing the city's buildings, waterways and green spaces, and representing the history and traditions of the French city. ST. LUCIA'S DAY SWEDEN/ NORWAY 13th December 30 According to Scandinavian folk tradition, December 13th is the longest night of the year. On this day Saint Lucia, one of the earliest Christian martyrs, along with the return of lighter days are celebrated. In every town, a procession takes place, led by a nominated St Lucia designee. Young girls dressed in white, wearing candle-lit wreaths upon their heads, follow, as well as boys dressed as 'Star Boys' in white pyjama-like costumes. HOGMANAY SCOTLAND, UK 30 31st December Hogmanay is what the Scots call New Year's Eve and has its origins in the Viking's winter solstice celebration. The famous Hogmanay in Edinburgh is a three day festivity and draws visitors in from all corners of the world. The celebration begins with a torch-light procession through the heart of the city accompanied with pipes and drums, passing along the Royal Mile to the fireworks finale on Carlton Hill that lights up the city. Sources: fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr enjoythemomentrituals.com aucouriermail.com.au visitscotland.com mythagora.com olympics.mu solarcentre en.wikipedia.org solar lighting that works timeanddate.com gooverseas.com timeanddate.com www.thesolarcentre.co.uk vam.ac.uk

Ceremonial Use of Lights Around the World

shared by TheSolarCentre on Apr 08
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Light is used in ceremonies all across the world and carries particular symbolic meaning for a number of religions, representing joy, hope and life-giving power. The Solar Centre’s latest infograp...

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