Luminaria (vigil fire)
Encyclopedia
A luminaria is a traditional small bonfire
typically used during Las Posadas, a 9-day celebration culminating on Christmas Eve
(la Nochebuena
). The luminaria is widely used in Santa Fe, New Mexico
. Luminaria is a loanword
from Spanish
that entered English
in New Mexico
.
tradition, the luminaria is constructed of piñon pine branches stacked to form a cube similar in style to a log fence or log cabin
. The piñon is used because it is abundant and the resin
has a distinct fragrance that is very pleasing. To many people in New Mexico this is the fragrance of Christmas. The branches are laid to form a box so that the fire will cast the most light and heat with the least flame.
villages, where the entrances to homes are rooftops, the luminaria may be placed on a rooftop.
For some people the tradition includes lighting a new luminaria each night of Las Posadas (nine nights in all), and rebuilding and lighting those from the previous nights. Thus, on the first night there is a single luminaria, and on the ninth night there are nine, all in a line leading to the gate.
In some other traditional communities in New Mexico a single large luminaria is ignited on Christmas Eve after the evening meal, on a mountain lookout where the light may be visible to the entire community.
Rarely, use of the luminaria begins even earlier, on December 12 after the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
. This is said to be related to Native American
(Pueblo
) beliefs.
described luminarias in use by Native American
s in Colonial Mexico, to illuminate midnight church services in outdoor chapels, and on their rooftops on Christmas Eve.
, so that the heat does not damage pavement or stonework, and to reduce the risk of the fire spreading or escaping. The luminaria typically is not closely attended, but is expected to be seen and admired by passers by.
In some communities where the luminaria is used, it is accompanied by numerous smaller farolitos: paper lantern
s consisting of a brown paper bag containing sand and a candle. In contrast, some communities in New Mexico and elsewhere use only the farolitos. In these latter communities generally the farolitos are called luminarias. Generally, luminaria are used in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico
, with or without farolitos; and farolitos alone are used in Albuquerque and southern New Mexico, and have spread to other parts of the United States
. Some authors claim the farolito in New Mexico is an adaptation of Chinese paper lanterns brought to New Mexico via the Philippines
and Mexico
. Others claim the farolito and the paper bag itself came to New Mexico on the Santa Fe Trail
. There is general agreement that the farolito is a substitute for the luminaria.
Bonfire
A bonfire is a controlled outdoor fire used for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration. Celebratory bonfires are typically designed to burn quickly and may be very large...
typically used during Las Posadas, a 9-day celebration culminating on Christmas Eve
Christmas 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...
(la Nochebuena
Nochebuena
Nochebuena, , is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve. In Spain, Cuba, Latin America, and the Philippines, the evening consists of a traditional dinner with family....
). The luminaria is widely used in Santa Fe, New Mexico
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...
. Luminaria is a loanword
Loanword
A loanword is a word borrowed from a donor language and incorporated into a recipient language. By contrast, a calque or loan translation is a related concept where the meaning or idiom is borrowed rather than the lexical item itself. The word loanword is itself a calque of the German Lehnwort,...
from Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
that entered English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
.
Form
In New MexicoNew Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
tradition, the luminaria is constructed of piñon pine branches stacked to form a cube similar in style to a log fence or log cabin
Log cabin
A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
. The piñon is used because it is abundant and the resin
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
has a distinct fragrance that is very pleasing. To many people in New Mexico this is the fragrance of Christmas. The branches are laid to form a box so that the fire will cast the most light and heat with the least flame.
Use
The luminaria is placed at the entrance to the home or in the middle of a courtyard. In New Mexico many traditional Spanish Colonial homes have a central open courtyard with a large entrance gate; the luminaria is placed at the gate. In traditional PuebloPueblo
Pueblo is a term used to describe modern communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern United States of America. The first Spanish explorers of the Southwest used this term to describe the communities housed in apartment-like structures built of stone, adobe mud, and other local material...
villages, where the entrances to homes are rooftops, the luminaria may be placed on a rooftop.
For some people the tradition includes lighting a new luminaria each night of Las Posadas (nine nights in all), and rebuilding and lighting those from the previous nights. Thus, on the first night there is a single luminaria, and on the ninth night there are nine, all in a line leading to the gate.
In some other traditional communities in New Mexico a single large luminaria is ignited on Christmas Eve after the evening meal, on a mountain lookout where the light may be visible to the entire community.
Rarely, use of the luminaria begins even earlier, on December 12 after the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe , also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe is a celebrated Catholic icon of the Virgin Mary.According to tradition, on December 9, 1531 Juan Diego, a simple indigenous peasant, had a vision of a young woman while he was on a hill in the Tepeyac desert, near Mexico City. The lady...
. This is said to be related to Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
(Pueblo
Pueblo
Pueblo is a term used to describe modern communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern United States of America. The first Spanish explorers of the Southwest used this term to describe the communities housed in apartment-like structures built of stone, adobe mud, and other local material...
) beliefs.
History
The early 16th century missionary historian Toribio de Benavente MotoliniaToribio de Benavente Motolinia
Fray Toribio de Benavente also known as Motolinia was a Franciscan missionary and among the first 12 clerics to arrive in New Spain in May 1524.-Life and times:...
described luminarias in use by Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
s in Colonial Mexico, to illuminate midnight church services in outdoor chapels, and on their rooftops on Christmas Eve.
Modern variations
A luminaria may be constructed in a small brazierBrazier
A brazier is a container for fire, generally taking the form of an upright standing or hanging metal bowl or box. Used for holding burning coal as well as fires, a brazier allows for a source of light, heat, or cooking...
, so that the heat does not damage pavement or stonework, and to reduce the risk of the fire spreading or escaping. The luminaria typically is not closely attended, but is expected to be seen and admired by passers by.
In some communities where the luminaria is used, it is accompanied by numerous smaller farolitos: paper lantern
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...
s consisting of a brown paper bag containing sand and a candle. In contrast, some communities in New Mexico and elsewhere use only the farolitos. In these latter communities generally the farolitos are called luminarias. Generally, luminaria are used in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico
Northern New Mexico
Northern New Mexico may simply mean the northern part of New Mexico, but in cultural terms it usually means the area of heavy Spanish settlement in the north-central part....
, with or without farolitos; and farolitos alone are used in Albuquerque and southern New Mexico, and have spread to other parts of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Some authors claim the farolito in New Mexico is an adaptation of Chinese paper lanterns brought to New Mexico via the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Others claim the farolito and the paper bag itself came to New Mexico on the Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe Trail
The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1822 by William Becknell, it served as a vital commercial and military highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880...
. There is general agreement that the farolito is a substitute for the luminaria.