Light up!

NIMA MENON traces the global origins of the festival of light, its rich symbolism and universal message of goodwill ead, kindly Light, amid th’ encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene; one step is enough for me.”

The symbolism of light and darkness is ancient and cross-cultural. While many believe that there can be no light without darkness, others believe that light is all there is and the absence of light is darkness. The coexistence of light and darkness are not just physical, but spiritual and metaphorical too. Darkness is often associated with gloom, cold, despair, death, chaos, danger, night, etc.; while light is seen as an antidote to it all. It is thus associated with rejoicing and relief, with safety and warmth, with awakening and sight and with life itself. Light makes it possible to see all things clearly. An enlightened person is one who has the light of wisdom and understanding shining within him. And as we celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of light, we all hope that the diya of wisdom, tolerance and camaraderie burns bright within each one of us. Research revealed to me that Indians are not the only ones who celebrate the festival of lights. It is interesting to note that the festival of light of a different kind, but with almost similar symbolism is celebrated by the Burmese, Jews and Thais. In Sweden, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Germany and Austria too, people celebrate their own festival of light. The people of Myanmar celebrate ‘Thadingyut’, the festival of light in the month of October. This festival is celebrated over a period of three days; the day before full moon, full moon day itself and the day after. They celebrate this festival to commemorate Buddha’s return to earth from heaven. Streets and houses are brilliantly illuminated and stalls are filled with various kinds of candles, colourful paper lanterns, electrical lighting and fireworks. In small towns people light diyas and there are many street dances and musicals. The festival is also a time for thanksgiving, with the younger generation paying their respects to their parents, teachers and elders and asking their forgiveness for any wrong doings. They can be seen walking with candles and gifts paying their homage to the elders.

‘Hanukkah’ is the Jewish festival of lights. It may not fall on the same date every year, as it is decided according to the Jewish calendar. It starts on the Hebrew date of the 25th of Kislev and goes on to the 2nd of Tevet, lasting eight days.

In Hebrew the word ‘Hanukkah’ means dedication. It is celebrated to commemorate the great victory of the Jews over the Syrian Greeks in 165 BC. After the Maccabees won the battle, they entered the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, which according to them had been desecrated by the Syrian invaders. After cleansing it, they once again dedicated it to the service of the Lord and celebrated the first Hanukkah. The most important Hanukkah ritual is the lighting of candles, and each night one more is added.

In November, the people of Thailand celebrate their festival of light, ‘Loi Krathong’. On the night of the full moon, traditional banana leaf boats called ‘krathong’ decorated with flowers and containing candles and incense sticks are set afloat in a river or waterway. Coins are also placed as offerings. These ‘krathong’ are generally in the shape of a fully bloomed lotus. While for some people the setting afloat of the ‘krathong’ is casting away the grief and misfortunes in their lives, to some others it is the time to pray for happiness and success. While there are many stories surrounding the celebration of this festival, the most popular is that it is celebrated as a mark of respect and thanksgiving to the Goddess of Water, for providing water for their livelihood and also asking her forgiveness for polluting the waters. Music, dance, drama and an impressive display of fireworks are all a part of the celebration. In Sweden, Norway and Finland, St.Lucia’s Day is celebrated on December 13, to honour Saint Lucia who was killed by the

Romans in 304 AD. She is believed to be one of the earliest Christian martyrs. It is their festival of light, celebrated with candlelight and candlelit processions. As a part of the church service, women sing songs describing how Saint Lucia overcame darkness to find light. As a part of the tradition, the eldest girl in the family wears a white robe

The festival is also a time for thanksgiving, with the younger generation paying their respects to their parents, teachers and elders and asking their forgiveness for any wrong doings and a crown of lighted candles. She is said to symbolize Saint Lucia. In Scandinavian countries this marks the beginning of the Christmas season and is meant to bring hope and light in the long days of winter. On November 11, streets of Netherlands, Germany and Austria are lit up as they celebrate Saint Martin’s Day. It is a lot similar to Halloween, but here children go from door-to-door with lit paper lanterns and candles, singing songs about St. Martin, in return for a treat. Often the procession is led by a man on a horse dressed as St. Martin. The main delicacy eaten during this festival is goose. Legend has it that when Martin was reluctant to become a Bishop he hid in a stable amongst geese, but was soon found out because of the noise made by the birds.

So, it doesn’t matter which part of the world, lights are lit to celebrate hope, gratitude, respect, dedication and life. The next time we light a candle, a diya or decorate our houses with coloured lights, let’s all remember that more than anything else, it is important to brighten our lives and of those around us with joy, while thanking providence for all that we have been blessed with.

Ben Sweetland said, “We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own. So, during this season of the festival of light, let’s become the light that will light the lives of others, in turn lighting our very own.