5 FESTIVALS OF LIGHT FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

 

Festivals have always been a significant part of human civilization, and light has always embellished our festivities.

Most of us grew up hearing mythical tales about the origin of different festivals, which usually relate to and reflect the religious beliefs and culture of our diverse societies. I was prompted to write about this when I noticed something intriguing, ‘Festival of Lights’, or ‘Festivals of light’ rather, is a common feature of multiple communities all across our wide world. I realized that our traditions have deeper roots than I ever imagined! And they connect us beyond all our apparent diversities.

For example, most of the festivals associated with light occur in the winter, generally in November or December. Thought most of them are traced back to various origins, I feel it is more than mere coincidences. We celebrate and honour light in the darkest, coldest nights of the year. Is it not amazing that our ancestors, spread over far and wide lands came up with such similar ideas thousands of years ago?

Here is a list of Festivals of Light from across the globe:

Deepavali (popularly called Diwali) is an Indian festival of lights celebrated in October or November, according to the Indian calendar. The celebrations last for around 6 days. People decorate their houses with rows of earthen lamps. The word Deepavali literally translates to rows of lamps(deep). Another attraction of Diwali is the sand art people make in their front of their homes. Colours and light have always symbolised positivity, hope and cheerfulness.

Diwali sand art

Saint Lucy's Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Europeans countries like Sweden, Italy, Norway, Finland etc. A girl dressed in white gown with a red sash, wearing a crown of candles on her head leads a procession of women holding candles. More interestingly, there are people who have made it their own tradition to light candles all around their place.

Saint Lucy's Day celebration

Hanukah or Chanukah is a Jewish festival which generally occurs in November or December. The celebrations last for 8 nights and days. The festival is celebrated by lighting a candle on each of the 8 nights. The candles are kept on a nine branched candelabrum called Menorah, which is placed on window.

The Lantern Festival or the Spring Lantern Festival is a Chinese festival which falls on February or early March. It marks the final day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. Children go out carrying paper lantern in the night of the festival. It might be a symbolic representation of end of winter and coming of warmth and light.

Thrikarthika or Karthika Deepam is a festival of light observed in south India or Sri Lanka. It is  usually celebrated from mid November to mid December according to local calendar. On Thrikarthika day, after sunset, people decorate their houses, streets and temples by lighting clay lamps called "chirad". Unlike Diwali, the celebrations do not include the use of fire crackers.