Light of Truth

Light is an important element in many holidays and festivals throughout the world. It is the symbol of the divine and bringing light into the world. Light also has meaning related to the religious or cultural background of different countries. As we move into the winter months with their shorter daylight hours, many countries use light as an important symbol. Holidays such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Le Re'veillon, Los Posados, St. Lucia Day, and Diwali all use light as symbology for the light of truth.

Hanukkah, also known as the Feast of Lights is celebrated in the month of December. It is a celebration that lasts eight days. The eight day celebration is significant in that it symbolizes the Rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. Of the many precious objects in the Temple, one of the most important was the lamp that burned continuously, symbolizing the enduring faith of the Jews. When it was time to light the Temple lamp, there was only enough oil for the lamp to burn one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days. The significance of the eight days is celebrated by lighting one candle for each day of the celebration. Each candle represents a day the oil burned in the Temple lamp. The candles are held in a symbolic figure called the menorah. The menorah consists of nine candle holders, the middle being called the shammash. The shammash is the first candle to be lit and lights the other candles, one for each night of celebration. This continues until all the candles are lit.

Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration starting the last week of December (around December 26 through January 1). Light is used in this celebration as a symbol of seven principles. Each principal is symbolized with a candle. A kinara is the candle holder that holds the seven candles. Each night a candle is lit and families talk about one of the seven principles. This is done each night until all the candles are lit. These seven candles represent mshumaa, meaning the seven principles. These principles are 1) unity, 2) self-determination, 3) collective work and responsibility, 4) cooperative economics, 5) purpose, 6) creativity, and 7) faith.

Le Re'veillon is a holiday celebrated in Canada and France. This holiday is similar to Christmas in that it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. On Christmas Eve a large candle is lit symbolizing Christ, Light of the World. This candle is left to burn throughout the night. Many people also light candles during the re'veillon, which is the Christmas dinner. This custom is also celebrated in Sweden as well as in England, Ireland, and Denmark.

Los Posados is celebrated in Mexico, beginning December 16. The celebration lasts for nine nights. Each night children and their families reenact the story of Mary and Joseph (parents of Jesus Christ) trying to find a place to lodge for the night. They travel to each house holding lighted candles and are turned away until they reach the house where the festivities of the night are being held. At this house, they are welcomed to go in and join in the celebration for the evening.

St. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13. The story behind the holiday is of a young Sicilian girl who lived over 1,700 years ago. She would not deny Christianity so she was punished and her eyes were put out. She is pictured as wearing white robes and wearing a crown of light. The light represents the breaking of the spell of darkness and bringing light into the world. St. Lucia Day is celebrated in Sweden, Finland, Italy, and the Caribbean.

Diwali, or sometimes spelled Divali, is celebrated late October or early November. Sri Lakshmi, the Goddess of Abundance, is the honored deity of this festival. Diwali has many legends and religious stories associated with it. Lights and diyas (clay oil lamps) are lit to signify the driving away of the darkness of ignorance, as well as the awakening of the light within ourselves. Diwali is a time to visit friends and family, clean, and to give gifts and cards. People decorate their homes with flowers and bake sweet treats. These treats are made into the shapes of flowers, human beings, and animals.

The goddess Lakshmi plays a major role in this festival, as do Ram and Sita. This autumn festival is celebrated for five continuous days, of which each one has its own significance. On the first day, many Hindus start the day with a cleansing ritual. After a bath, they then put on their finest clothing. Most clean house and some even go as far as to white wash their homes on this day. Entrances are made colorful with traditional motifs of Rangoli (geometric) designs to welcome Lakshmi. Flowers are placed as decorations throughout the house, because the Goddess loves flowers. Some people build an altar to Lakshmi and decorate it with symbols of prosperity.

To indicate her long awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder (kumkum) all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. Also at night there are usually fireworks displays. Homes are full of light. Traditionally, wicks burning in mustard oil give off this light. However, candles are also used to light homes. Saucers, or chirags, filled with mustard oil are placed on window sills and on roofs. These lights are placed out so that the Goddess, will be better able to find her way to the homes of those lighting the chirags. Women and girls often set chirags afloat on the Ganges River. If the light makes it to the other side of the river, this is taken as a sign of good luck.

Deepavali Puja (religious ceremony offered to the goddess) is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits (ignorance). Bhajans (devotional songs) are sung in praise of the Goddess and sweets are offered to her. Deepavali Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as the remover of obstacles; Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms Mahalakshmi,the goddess of wealth and money, Mahasaraswati, the goddess of speech and knowledge, and Mahakali, the goddess of dissolution and time. Kuber, the treasurer of the gods is also worshipped.

One of the last things done on Diwali is to drive out Alaksmi, or the goddess of bad luck, poverty, and misfortune. Traditionally in India, the oldest woman of the house will sweep the entire house. This is supposed to also sweep out the goddess of bad luck. Some Hindus try to scare away misfortune by making loud noises and yelling throughout the house.

May Lakshmi (the Light of Truth) find her way into your home and bless you and yours with abundance.