Luminaria
Encyclopedia
A luminaria or a farolito is a small paper lantern
(commonly a candle set in some sand inside a paper bag) which is of significance among New World
Hispanic
s at Christmas
time. These luminarias have to some extent replaced the older tradition of the luminaria (vigil fire)
with which they became confused.
Yet another form of luminaria, a small torch or large candle, is carried by the leader of the procession of Las Posadas, a nine-day holiday running December 16–24.
luminarias are made from brown paper bag
s weighted down with sand
and illuminated from within by a lit candle
. These are typically arranged in rows to create large and elaborate displays. The hope among Roman Catholics is that the lights will guide the spirit of the Christ child to one's home.
In recent times they are seen more as a secular decoration, akin to Christmas lights. Strings of artificial luminarias, with plastic
bags illuminated by small light bulbs and connected by an electrical cord, are also available, and are common in the American Southwest, where they are typically displayed throughout the year-end holiday season. These are beginning to gain popularity in other parts of the United States.
Santa Fe
and Old Town Albuquerque
, New Mexico, are well known for their impressive Christmas Eve luminaria displays.
In some Southwestern states, such as Arizona and Texas as well as New Mexico, luminarias are also occasionally used as Halloween decorations, sometimes featuring Jack o' lantern faces drawn on the paper bags. Artificial luminarias are increasingly available with holiday themed decorative patterns and in colors other than brown.
In West Valley City, Utah
, luminarias are used to light the path during the Walk with Santa held the first Monday of December every year. The display features over 300 luminarias.
The American Cancer Society
's Relay for Life
fundraising events which are held all over the US feature luminaria ceremonies. luminarias are placed around the track and some relay events spell out "HOPE" in stadium stands with luminarias.
After the 2008 city hall shooting in Kirkwood, Missouri
, residents lined the streets with luminarias to honor the victims of the shooting.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Overnight uses luminaria at the end of the overnight walk to memorialize those lost to suicide for survivors.
San Juan College
in Farmington, New Mexico
, organizes a large annual luminaria display, most recently consisting of around 30,000 luminarias displayed on campus.
Luminarias have also become popular in California in some cities. Some Boy Scout Troops sell them around Christmas time as another form of fundraising for their Troops.
Paper lantern
Paper lanterns come in various shapes and sizes, as well as various methods of construction. In their simplest form, they are simply a paper bag with a candle placed inside, although more complicated lanterns consist of a collapsible bamboo or metal frame of hoops covered with tough paper.-In Asian...
(commonly a candle set in some sand inside a paper bag) which is of significance among New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
s at Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
time. These luminarias have to some extent replaced the older tradition of the luminaria (vigil fire)
Luminaria (vigil fire)
A luminaria is a traditional small bonfire typically used during Las Posadas, a 9-day celebration culminating on Christmas Eve . The luminaria is widely used in Santa Fe, New Mexico...
with which they became confused.
Yet another form of luminaria, a small torch or large candle, is carried by the leader of the procession of Las Posadas, a nine-day holiday running December 16–24.
Christmas tradition
Traditional Christmas EveChristmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
luminarias are made from brown paper bag
Paper bag
A paper bag or paper sack is a preformed container made of paper, usually with an opening on one side. It can be one layer of paper or multiple layers of paper and other flexible materials. A bag is used for packaging and/or carrying items....
s weighted down with sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
and illuminated from within by a lit candle
Candle
A candle is a solid block or cylinder of wax with an embedded wick, which is lit to provide light, and sometimes heat.Today, most candles are made from paraffin. Candles can also be made from beeswax, soy, other plant waxes, and tallow...
. These are typically arranged in rows to create large and elaborate displays. The hope among Roman Catholics is that the lights will guide the spirit of the Christ child to one's home.
In recent times they are seen more as a secular decoration, akin to Christmas lights. Strings of artificial luminarias, with plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
bags illuminated by small light bulbs and connected by an electrical cord, are also available, and are common in the American Southwest, where they are typically displayed throughout the year-end holiday season. These are beginning to gain popularity in other parts of the United States.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
and Old Town Albuquerque
Old Town Albuquerque
Old Town is a historic district in Albuquerque, New Mexico, dating back to the founding of the city by the Spanish in 1706. Today it is a popular shopping and tourist destination. Old Town comprises about ten blocks of historic adobe buildings grouped around a central plaza...
, New Mexico, are well known for their impressive Christmas Eve luminaria displays.
In some Southwestern states, such as Arizona and Texas as well as New Mexico, luminarias are also occasionally used as Halloween decorations, sometimes featuring Jack o' lantern faces drawn on the paper bags. Artificial luminarias are increasingly available with holiday themed decorative patterns and in colors other than brown.
In West Valley City, Utah
West Valley City, Utah
West Valley City is a city in Salt Lake County and a suburb of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah. The population was 129,480 at the 2010 census,...
, luminarias are used to light the path during the Walk with Santa held the first Monday of December every year. The display features over 300 luminarias.
The American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
's Relay for Life
Relay For Life
Relay For Life is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Originating in the United States, the Relay For Life event has spread to 21 countries. Relay events are held in local communities, campus universities, military bases, and in cyberspace...
fundraising events which are held all over the US feature luminaria ceremonies. luminarias are placed around the track and some relay events spell out "HOPE" in stadium stands with luminarias.
After the 2008 city hall shooting in Kirkwood, Missouri
Kirkwood, Missouri
Kirkwood is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,540. Founded in 1853, the city is named for James Pugh Kirkwood, builder of the Pacific Railroad through that town. It was the first planned suburb located west...
, residents lined the streets with luminarias to honor the victims of the shooting.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Overnight uses luminaria at the end of the overnight walk to memorialize those lost to suicide for survivors.
San Juan College
San Juan College
Founded in 1956 as a branch of the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, San Juan College became an independent community college following a county election in 1981.-History:...
in Farmington, New Mexico
Farmington, New Mexico
Farmington is a city in San Juan County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 U.S. Census the city had a total population of 45,877 people. Farmington makes up one of the four Metropolitan Statistical Areas in New Mexico. The U.S...
, organizes a large annual luminaria display, most recently consisting of around 30,000 luminarias displayed on campus.
Luminarias have also become popular in California in some cities. Some Boy Scout Troops sell them around Christmas time as another form of fundraising for their Troops.