Overview Ceremonial use of lights

hindus putting lit oil lamps on river ganges.

the ceremonial use of lights in christian church has double origin: in non-natural symbolism, , in adaptation of pagan , jewish rites , customs of symbolic meaning christianized.

light everywhere symbol of joy , of life-giving power, darkness of death , destruction. fire impressive element in worship has been used in many religions. fire-worship still has place in 2 @ least of great religions of world. parsis adore fire visible expression of ahura mazda, eternal principle of light , righteousness; brahmans worship divine , omniscient. hindu festival of diwali (diyawali, diya, light), when temples , houses illuminated countless lamps, held every november celebrate lakhshmi, goddess of prosperity.

in ritual of jewish temple fire , light played conspicuous part. in holy of holies cloud of light (shekinali), symbolical of presence of yahweh, , before stood candlestick 6 branches, on each of , on central stem lamp eternally burning; while in forecourt altar on sacred fire never allowed go out. jewish synagogues have each eternal lamp.