Many of humankind’s earliest stories are about light. Creation stories of the Mesopotamian Babylonians, Egyptians, Hindus, and Jews all paint the world pitch black—then, a powerful god arises and creates light. The Ancient Greeks had a similar myth: Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humankind, a vitally important robbery with an equally high cost.
It’s easy to understand why early humans were obsessed with light—it was central to their survival. Sunlight caused their crops to grow; fire kept them from freezing in the winter; light allowed them sight to hunt, gather, and attend to everyday tasks.
With the industrialization of farming and the introduction and expansion of electricity, humans’ dependence on natural light has lessened—but our fascination with light hasn’t. Therapists prescribe light as a treatment for seasonal depression. Photographers manipulate light for perfect photos. People are always searching for natural expressions of light, from chasing northern lights to staring into fire to stargazing.
What started as an important part of human survival has grown deeply entrenched into religion. No matter what religion you practice, light is likely used to celebrate or commemorate special occasions.
Let’s take a look at some celebrations of light in the five largest worldwide religions.
Ramadan―Islam
Ramadan shifts earlier every year with Islam’s lunar calendar. But from February 17 to March 19, 2026, Muslims will be celebrating the holy month and commemorating when the Prophet Muhammad is said to have received the first verses of the Qur’an.
This holy month is divided into three parts with three different centers of worship. For the first 10-day period—or Ashra in Arabic—observers seek the mercy and blessings of Allah. For the second Ashra, observers regret and seek Allah’s forgiveness for all their sins and mistakes. For the last Ashra, observers pray to be saved from hellfire. This last Ashra is the most important and contains the Night of Power, the holiest night of the year in Islam.
During Ramadan, faithful Muslims increase their worship and good deeds toward others. They also fast during daylight hours and eat only at night.
Additionally, Muslims often decorate their homes with lanterns, known in Arabic as fanous. These colorful lanterns seem to have become a symbol for the festival, but the lanterns carry little religious significance and are better seen as a cultural marker of a religious holiday.
However, Muslims have a rich tradition surrounding light and its symbols. The Qur’an teaches that Allah is the source of all truth and that his divine light can help us see clearly what is true, good, and lasting.
Light can also represent the blessing of being close to the Divine or Allah’s mercy and forgiveness in spite of human imperfections. Physical manifestations of light remind us of Allah and his light.
Although physical lights don’t hold religious significance for Ramadan observers, satellites notice an increase in nighttime lights during this holy month in the Middle East and North America. This is, after all, a month when observers are highly active at night.
Vesak―Buddhism
The name of the holiday Vesak comes from the Sanskrit vaiśākha, referring to the lunar month of Vaisakha. This month, by all accounts, is the month when the Buddha was born. Thus, Vesak occurs on the full moon of Vaisakha and celebrates Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, commemorating his birth, enlightenment, and death.
On this day, local Buddhist priests organize programs at every temple and read from the Buddha’s words. The general public make merit (punya): that is, they involve themselves in good deeds—giving food to monastics, releasing caged animals, or becoming vegetarian, perhaps—to improve their karma.
But the real Vesak celebration begins at dusk. By the time the full moon rises, every house is lit up by clusters of lights ranging from small clay lamps to electric lights to (most importantly) Vesak lanterns. These intricate paper and bamboo lanterns are adorned with scenes of the Buddha’s life and are one way observers show their devotion to him.
The Buddha’s teachings have dispelled the spiritual darkness of ignorance from innumerable lives; thus, he is celebrated with many lights, representing the power his wisdom and enlightenment have at dispelling ignorance.
Diwali―Hinduism
Between late October and November, billions of Hindus (joined by Jains and Sikhs) gather to celebrate Diwali, covering India with countless diyas, or oil lamps. The specific myth commemorated depends on your religion and region of Southern Asia, but many Hindus celebrate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya lined Rama’s path with diyas to light his way and dispel the darkness that had plagued the kingdom during his exile.
Consequently, Hindus celebrate Diwali, which translates from the Sanskrit dipavali to “row of lamps,” by lining rooftops and streams with little rows of lamps. Observers also cook sweets, clean their homes, and decorate the ground with rice, flower petals, or sand in colorful patterns called rangoli.
For Hindus in Diwali, the light of the lamps symbolizes not just welcoming the gods but also the victory of light over darkness. They see Diwali as a time to drive out their inner demons, fostering instead inner knowledge and positivity. Thus, Diwali is a time for Hindus to rejoice in the gods’ light and try to increase their own.
Hanukkah―Judaism
When the autumn chill gives way to winter, in November or December, Jews gather to celebrate Hanukkah. As many Jewish holidays are, Hanukkah is all about remembering—remembering thousands of years of tradition and thousands of years of Adonai being present with them.
The most important tradition of Hanukkah is lighting the menorah, or “lamp” in Hebrew. Anciently, the menorah had seven branches—the seven candles representing the seven days of creation—and was supposed to burn always in the temple. But when the Greeks conquered the kingdom of Judah, they defiled the temple, put out the menorah, and outlawed practicing Judaism.
The Jews led a successful revolt, driving the Greeks out of their land and cleansing the temple. But when the battle was over, they only had enough consecrated oil for the menorah to burn for one day. Miraculously, the flame of the temple menorah lasted for eight days, giving the Jews enough time to consecrate new oil for the temple and restore the menorah’s perpetual burning. Thus, the burning menorah became a symbol of Adonai delivering his people from the bondage of a stronger nation.
Jews celebrate this deliverance during Hanukkah by reading specific scriptures, reciting prayers, and lighting a candle in the menorah each night. Because of the eight-day miracle, the menorah now has nine branches—eight candles commemorating the miracle of the temple oil, and an extra candle used to light the others.
Candlemas―Christianity
Christmas is the Christian holiday, but Candlemas, a Catholic and orthodox Christian holiday, exhibits a greater connection to light. Also called the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after Christmas on February 2, commemorating Jesus’s presentation at the temple and the two people who recognized him as the Savior.
For Catholics and Orthodox Christians, Candlemas Mass includes a blessing on the candles that will be used in Mass throughout the year. These candles serve during Mass as important reminders of Jesus Christ.
But light is a reminder of Jesus to all Christians, not just specific denominations. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is recognized as the Light of the World who dispels sin and darkness. Thus, light points to him. Light also reminds Christians of their own duty to be a light to the world. As Jesus taught, “You are the light of the world”: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16, NIV).
For Christians, light serves as a reminder of Jesus Christ and a reminder of their connection to him.
Conclusion
Humankind has always been fascinated with light; this enthusiasm is demonstrated by countless festivals celebrating light around the world. But the most meaningful holidays of light involve deeper meaning—connecting to a higher power or truth, fostering inner goodness.
While theories on light differ across religions, light and truth are undeniably present everywhere. Ultimately, the most important thing about light is that it surrounds and connects us—all of us.
—ClaireMae Hoyt Peterson