We find it comforting to think that over the centuries, our ancestors from around the world in times of deep pain shared in this communal remembrance. In fact, the word “votive” comes from the Latin words “vōtīvus” meaning “promised by a vow”, and “vōtum” meaning “a vow.” Today “votive” is defined as a noun, “an object offered in fulfillment of a vow, such as a candle used as a vigil light.”Īcross time, cultures and faiths, remembering our loved ones by lighting a candle is a tradition we can all relate to. Nearly every religion going back to ancient times incorporates lights or candles as part of rituals remembering loved ones. The use of a yahrzeit candle is a widely practiced custom, where mourners light a yahrzeit candle that burns for 24 hours, on the anniversary. Lighting a candle in remembrance of loved ones goes back much further in time with candles and lamps found in burials of ancient Greeks and Romans.
Some records show that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of freed slaves in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. It is a ritual that promotes reflection and signifies remembrance. Event link here.įinally, find the poster for the Indian Youth Secured Organization and Safer Indian Roads Organization’s Candle Light initiative to acknowledge WDoR here.Did you know Memorial Day started during the Civil War? By the late 1860s, people in towns and cities across the nation began holding springtime tributes to the thousands of fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers, reciting prayers and lighting candles. By lighting a candle for our loved ones we remember and honour their life and memory. “The event will have participation of students from Schools, colleges and officials from Traffic Police and Civil Administration”. Find the link to participate in their online initiative on this page.Īnother vigil will take place in Srinagar, India. Members of the Indian Road Guru Trust will light candles in remembrance of road traffic accident victims. Lighting a Memorial Candle for those who are sadly no longer with us, symbolizes healing, hope and remembrance. You can hold a candlelight memorial service using fresh ideas tailored just for the service. The Indian city Malappuram will also host public speakers and lit candles in the evening – information here. In Louisville, Sunnyhill Pavilion, USA, a candlelight vigil will take place in the afternoon of the 20th November “to honor those who have died, support their loved ones and demand action to make streets safer in Louisville, Kentucky by enacting legislation to have speed camera monitoring and other street calming measures”. The South African Road Safety Partnership will also hold a candle lighting, as well as prayer, session in a school – link to the event here. The event includes a motorcade, a road safety seminar and a candle lighting program. Buddhism A symbol of spiritual life and the inspiration. Churches feature rows of shared memorial candles that can be lit as a dedicational prayer for the deceased. In Catholicism, lighting a candle is a way to strengthen and embrace the power of prayer. In the Philippines’ Malolos City, the entire afternoon of the 20th November will be dedicated to remembering road crash victims worldwide. Catholicism Light is used to symbolize God, strength, and guidance towards holiness. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, a candle lit ceremony will take place as “health workers of DAM, road safety advocates, pedestrians, media and family members of victims attend the event and demand for safer roads”
Many organizations around the world have chosen to mark this year’s World Day of Remembrance with candle lighting ceremonies and vigils.
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