Ever since the first Neanderthal happened to discover fire, human beings have always had a tremendous fascination with light. Between the stories, holidays, and traditions that have all been passed down over time, light is consistently among the most important symbols.

“Light”—in the abstract sense—can be symbolic of many different things. Often times, light is a symbol that represents consciousness or discovery. Other times, light may represent goodness, unity, or hope.

Regardless, there is no surprise that light has been incorporated to many of our holidays. With the invention of LED lighting technology, countries all around the world are finding new ways to use light in order to bring people together.

Though LED lights are typically associated with Christmas (at least in the United States), Christmas is just one of many holidays where light plays a very prominent role. In this article, we will discuss some of the most interesting global holidays and how they use different kinds of light.

1. Festival of Lights (Berlin, Germany)

Since 2004, the Festival of Lights has taken place in Germany’s capital and largest city of Berlin. This light display holds nothing back—almost every landmark and important building in the city’s core district is illuminated, often containing very intricate designs. Some of the decorations you might find include moving snowflakes, flashing light shows, and structures made entirely of lights. Each year, the festival adds a little bit more than it had the year before, largely due to the constant improvements being made to LED lights. While there are other, comparable light festivals in Germany as well, Berlin’s is the most impressive.

2. Carnival (Brazil)

Carnival is one of the biggest and most well-known celebrations in South America. Like Mardi Gras (which is more popular in places with French influence), Carnival celebrates the beginning of the season of Lent. Throughout Brazil you will find a wide range of light shows, many featuring celebratory dancers, drinks, and elaborate parades. It is a time of year to celebrate Brazilian culture while also remembering the things you are thankful for. Brazil is one of the most cultural and ethnic places on Earth, allowing Carnival to draw traditions and influences from all around the planet.

3. Lantern Festival (China)

Chinese lanterns are one of the most beautiful types of lights in the world. Even though many of these lanterns (at least in the West) now use lightbulbs instead of fire, the tradition of making Chinese lanterns dates back thousands of years. Today, you will find a major lantern festival taking place in nearly every Chinese city. The festival is based on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, which usually falls around the beginning of March. As a result of various cultural exchanges, other Asian countries (particularly, Japan and Taiwan) also feature major lantern festivals as well.

4. Las Fallas (Valencia, Spain)

Spain is a country known for its rich history and its many unique traditions. While many people have heard of events such as La Tomatina (tomato festival) and the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Las Fallas is a major Spanish holiday that is often overlooked. Every year in Valencia, beautiful wooden structures are created and erected throughout the city. The twist, it seems, is that as soon as everything is all set up, it is all intentionally burned to the ground. The result is one of the most impressive natural light shows you will ever witness.

5. Night of the Witches (Catemaco, Mexico)

Though Mexico is primarily considered a Catholic nation by many outsiders, there are actually many unique and traditional cultural influences that can be found throughout the land. In the relatively small town of Catemaco, people gather every March in order to rid themselves of negative energy. The festival is one that is full of lights, food, traditional music, and beautiful culture. Located in the state of Veracruz, Catemaco is located in the southern part of the country.

6. Festival of Lights (Lyon, France)

The festival of lights in Lyon is one of many popular light shows that can be found throughout Europe. However, contrary to the festivals that can be found in Berlin and elsewhere around the continent, this particular festival dates back many years. The festival, which begins each year on December 8th and lasts for four days, celebrates two of Christianity’s most important figures: Jesus and his mother, Mary. While the festival originally used candles as its primary form of imagery, LED lighting technology has made it possible for the displays to become remarkably more complex.

7. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori, Japan)

Every August, people from all across Japan gather in the town of Aomori to celebrate some of their most cherished symbols and traditions. The celebrations usually feature elaborate parades, traditional storytelling and, of course, plenty of dazzling light displays. Floats often depict and animate various gods, dragons, and other important Japanese symbols. It is an excellent opportunity for people to get to know a little bit more about Japan and also expand their cultural horizons.

8. Hanukkah (Global, Jewish Origins)

Though much of the world’s Jewish population lives in Israel and the United States, Hanukkah is a lights-based holiday that is celebrated by people in almost every country in the world. The eight-day long festival dates back thousands of years and celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem—this is an important symbol of lasting Jewish heritage and resilience. Each night of Hanukkah, Jewish families will light an additional candle, which is why the holiday is associated with light. Because Hanukkah and Christmas both take place in December, many multi-faith families (especially in the United States) will create displays that celebrate both traditions.

9. Winter Illuminations Festival (Japan)

In the spring, the “awakening” of the cherry blossom tree is one of the most celebrated moments in Japanese culture. When the flowers of these trees eventually fall off, the creative people of Japan began looking for ways to replicate their beauty. The winter illuminations festival is an incredible six-month festival that uses LED lighting technology to create beautiful displays resembling the magnificence of the cherry blossom. If you are ever in Japan between October and March, it is certainly worth checking out.

10. Diwali (India)

India is the birthplace of many of the world’s religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. While these religions may have many differences, Diwali is an ancient “festival of lights” that helps bring everyone together. The holiday represents the victory of light over darkness, symbolizing the eternal struggle of good versus evil. Almost the entire country is illuminated in some way, creating one of the most beautiful and meaningful celebrations in the world.

Conclusion

Without light, there would be no life on Earth. In response, light has long been an important component of human imagery and is incorporated into holidays all around the world. Each of these holidays, whether old or new, eastern or western, offers a beautiful representation of human meaning.

Naija Excluded

Why is Nigeria not included? Why do they disrespect us ? We boast of 15000megawatts of power per disco and yet we are not included! Take down this topic please, it was doctored!