IV

THE CEREMONIAL USE OF LIGHT

Inasmuch as the symbolisms and ceremonial uses of light originated in the childhood of the human race and were nourished throughout the age of mythology, the early light-sources are associated more with this phase of artificial light than modern ones.  For this reason it appears appropriate to present this discussion before entering into the later stages of the development and utilization of artificial light.  Furthermore, many of the traditions of lighting at the present time are survivors of the early ages.  Lighting-fixtures show the influence of this byway of lighting, and in those cases where the ceremonial use of light has survived to the present time, modern light-sources cannot be employed wisely in replacing more primitive ones without consideration of the origin and existence of the customs.  In fact, candles are likely to be used for hundreds of years to come, owing to the sentiment connected with them and to the established customs founded upon centuries of traditional use.

Doubtless, the sun as a source of heat and light and of the blessings which these bring to earth, is responsible largely for the divine significance bestowed upon light.  Darkness very deservingly acquired many uncomplimentary attributes, for danger lurked behind its veil and it was the suitable abode of evil spirits.  It harbored all that was the antithesis of goodness, happiness, and security.  Light naturally became sacred, life-giving, and symbolic of divine presence.  Fire was to primitive beings the most impressive phenomenon over which they had any control, and it was sufficiently mysterious in its operation to warrant a connection with the supernatural.  Thus it was very natural that these earlier beings worshiped it as representing divine presence.  The sun, as Ra, was one of the chief gods of the ancient Egyptians; and the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the ancient Greeks, and many other early peoples gave a high place to this deity.  Among simpler races the sun was often the sole object of worship, and those peoples who worship Light as the god of all, in a sense are not far afield.  Fire-worshipers generally considered fire as the purest representation of heavenly fire, the origin of everything that lives.

Light was considered such a blessing that lamps were buried with the dead in order that spirits should be able to have it in the next world.  This custom has prevailed widely but the fact that the lamps were unlighted indicates that only the material aspect was considered.  It is interesting to note that the lamps and other light-sources in pagan temples and religious processions were not symbolical but were offerings to the gods.  In later centuries a deeper symbolical meaning became attached to light and burning lamps were placed upon the tombs of important personages.  The burying of lamps with the dead appears to have originated in Asia.  The Phoenicians and Romans apparently continued the custom, but no traces of it have been found in Greece and Egypt.