Luminaria: Difference between revisions
Camerafiend (talk | contribs) Tried to make this as neutral as possible by stating the facts of the dispute without taking a position |
Puro spana (talk | contribs) Undid revision 477810003 by Camerafiend (talk)the fact is a luminaria is not a farolito. this version has a source citing this FACT. no sources proving otherwise have been provided. |
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[[Image:Luminarias.jpg|thumb|A typical luminaria display in Albuquerque, New Mexico]] |
[[Image:Luminarias.jpg|thumb|A typical luminaria display in Albuquerque, New Mexico]] |
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A '''luminaria''' |
A a '''luminaria''' is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a '''farolito''', however, luminarias are not farolitos<ref> Ortega, Pedro Ribera, ‘’Christmas in Old Santa Fe’’,Sunstone Press, 1977 p. 15-17 </ref>. A '''farolito''' is a small [[paper lantern]] (commonly a candle set in some sand inside a paper bag) which is of significance in New Mexico and some neighboring states at [[Christmas]] time, especially on Christmas Eve. Farolitos have to some extent replaced the older tradition of the [[luminaria (vigil fire)]] with which they became confused. The argument that farolitos are called limunarias is a [[fallacious argument]] called a [[Argumentum ad populum]], since so many people refer to farolitos by the wrong name. |
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Yet another form of ''luminaria'', a small torch or large candle, is carried by the leader of the procession of [[Las Posadas]],<ref>http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/dec/06/luminarias-symbolize-lighting-way-for-christ/</ref> a nine-day holiday running December 16–24. |
Yet another form of ''luminaria'', a small torch or large candle, is carried by the leader of the procession of [[Las Posadas]],<ref>http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/dec/06/luminarias-symbolize-lighting-way-for-christ/</ref> a nine-day holiday running December 16–24. |
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==Naming controversy== |
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The name of the decoration is the subject of a long-running dispute in New Mexico.<ref name=candles>{{cite news | title=Candles glow, dispute flares | url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Nz0aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xCcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7224,5309264 | accessdate=20 February 2012 | newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal | date=December 17, 1965 | agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In general, ''farolito'' is the preferred term in [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]] and other parts of [[northern New Mexico]], while the decorations are often referred to as ''luminarias'' elsewhere.<ref name=nylander>{{cite book | title=Aguinaldos | first=Virginia | last=Nylander Ebinger | publisher=Sunstone Press | year=2008 | isbn=0865346895 | page=110 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=nJsmPnF60W4C&pg=PA110}}</ref> In Spanish, the word ''farolito'' translates as "little lantern", while ''luminaria'' means "festival light".<ref name=steinberg/> Historically ''luminaria'' referred not to a paper lantern but to a small [[Luminaria (vigil fire)|festival bonfire]];<ref name="Ribera">{{cite book | title=Christmas in old Santa Fe | first=Pedro | last=Ribera Ortega | edition=2 | publisher=Sunstone Press | year=1973 | isbn=0913270253 | pages=14–23 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=6Vj3rkOkj6AC&pg=PA14}}</ref> however, this distinction is not commonly made outside of northern New Mexico.<ref name=nylander/> Many "purists" insist that the usage of ''luminaria'' to mean a paper lantern is incorrect.<ref name=candles/> |
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==Christmas tradition== |
==Christmas tradition== |
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{{Commons category|Luminaries}} |
{{Commons category|Luminaries}} |
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*[[Festival of Lights]] |
*[[Festival of Lights]] |
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==Notes== |
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{{Reflist|group="nb"}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 02:43, 20 February 2012
A a luminaria is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a farolito, however, luminarias are not farolitos[1]. A farolito is a small paper lantern (commonly a candle set in some sand inside a paper bag) which is of significance in New Mexico and some neighboring states at Christmas time, especially on Christmas Eve. Farolitos have to some extent replaced the older tradition of the luminaria (vigil fire) with which they became confused. The argument that farolitos are called limunarias is a fallacious argument called a Argumentum ad populum, since so many people refer to farolitos by the wrong name.
Yet another form of luminaria, a small torch or large candle, is carried by the leader of the procession of Las Posadas,[2] a nine-day holiday running December 16–24.
Christmas tradition
Traditional Christmas Eve farolitos are made from brown paper bags 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 farolitos, 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.[3]
Santa Fe and Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico, are well known for their impressive Christmas Eve farolito displays.[4] Farolito displays are common throughout New Mexico, and most communities in New Mexico have farolitos in prominent areas such as major streets or parks. Residents often line their yards, fences, sidewalks, and roofs with farolitos.
In some Southwestern states, such as Arizona and Texas as well as New Mexico, farolitos are also occasionally used as Halloween decorations, sometimes featuring Jack o' lantern faces drawn on the paper bags.[5] Artificial farolitos are increasingly available with holiday themed decorative patterns and in colors other than brown.
In West Valley City, Utah, farolitos are used to light the path during the Walk with Santa held the first Monday of December every year. The display features over 300 farolitos.
The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life fundraising events which are held all over the US feature farolito ceremonies. farolitos are placed around the track and some relay events spell out "HOPE" in stadium stands with farolitos.
After the 2008 city hall shooting in Kirkwood, Missouri, residents lined the streets with farolitos to honor the victims of the shooting.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Overnight uses farolitos 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 farolito display, most recently consisting of around 30,000 farolitos displayed on campus.[6]
Farolitos have also become popular in California in some cities. The Boy Scout Troops and Albuquerque Youth Symphony sell them around Christmas time as another form of fundraising.
See also
References
- ^ Ortega, Pedro Ribera, ‘’Christmas in Old Santa Fe’’,Sunstone Press, 1977 p. 15-17
- ^ http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/dec/06/luminarias-symbolize-lighting-way-for-christ/
- ^ http://www.futurebound.com/elfhats/mainpages/craftsluminaries.htm
- ^ http://novato-troop42.org/History%20of%20Luminarias.htm
- ^ http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/travel/thisweek/stories/DN-luminarias_1115tra.ART0.State.Edition1.9a6496.html
- ^ http://www.sanjuancollege.edu/pages/3531.asp?item=846%7Caccessdate=3/13/11
External links
- Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. "Annual Luminaria". National Park Service. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)