subject: Oil lamps in religious contexts [print this page] Oil lamps in religious contexts Oil lamps in religious contexts
Lamps appear in the Torah and other Jewish sources as a symbol of "lighting" the way for the righteous, the wise, and for love and other positive values. While fire was often described as being destructive, light was given a positive spiritual meaning. The oil lamp and its light were important household items, and this may explain their symbolism. Oil lamps were used for many spiritual rituals. The oil lamp and its light also became important ritualistic articles with the further development of Jewish culture and its religion. where to buy cheap LED Strip? Lightereryday is a good choice.
"And you shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive-oil for the light, that a lamp may be set to burn continually". Exodus 27:20
"When you set the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lamp stand (menorah)." Numbers 8: 1 -4
"There I shall cause pride to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed." (Psalms 132:16);
"For a commandment is a lamp and the Torah is light; and reproving discipline is the way of life." (Proverbs 6:23);
"A man's soul is the lamp of God, which searches the chambers of one's innards." (Proverbs 20:27).
"A lamp is called a lamp, and the soul of man is called a lamp." (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 30B) The Temple Menorah, a ritual seven branched oil lamp used in the Second Temple, forms the centre of the Chanukah story and centers on the miracle that during the cleansing of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem after its looting, the lamp was supposed to burn continuously, forever, but there was only oil enough for one day, and no more oil would be available for 8 days; miraculously the oil expected to last for only one day instead burnt for 8 full days.
There are several references to oil lamps in the New Testament:
"Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is sound, your whole body is sound, your whole body is full of light; but when it is not sound, your body is full of darkness." (Luke 11:34);
"He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light." (John 5:35);
"And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever." (Rev 22:5).
In the Orthodox Church and many Eastern Catholic Churches oil lamps (Greek: kandili, Slavonic: lampada) are still used both on the Holy Table (altar) and to illuminate icons on the iconostasis and around the temple (church building). Orthodox Christians will also use oil lamps in their homes to illuminate their icon corner.
Traditionally, the sanctuary lamp in an Orthodox church is an oil lamp. It is lit by the bishop when the church is consecrated, and ideally it should burn perpetually thereafter. The oil burned in all of these lamps is traditionally olive oil. recommend directory: 57cm 30LEDS SMD5050 LED Light Bar.
"God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is, as it were, that of a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is in glass, the glass like a radiant star: lit from a blessed tree - an olive-tree that is neither of the east nor of the west the oil whereof [is so bright that it] would well-nigh give light even though fire had not touched it: light upon light! God guides unto His light him that wills ; and God propounds parables unto men, since God [alone] has full knowledge of all things". 24:35
Oil lamps are commonly used in Hindu temples as well as in home shrines. Generally the lamps used in temples are circular with places for five wicks. They are made of metal and either suspended on a chain or screwed onto a pedestal. There will usually be at least one lamp in each shrine, and the main shrine may contain several. Usually only one wick is lit, with all five burning only on festive occasions. The oil lamp is used in the Hindu ritual of Aarti.
In the home shrine, the style of lamp is usually different, containing only one wick. There is usually a piece of metal that forms the back of the lamp, which has a picture of a Hindu deity embossed on it. In many houses, the lamp burns all day, but in other homes, it is lit at sundown. The lamp in the home shrine is supposed to be lit before any other lights are turned on at night.
A hand-held oil lamp or incense sticks (lit from the lamp) are also used during the Hindu puja ceremony. In the North of India, a five-wick lamp is used, usually fueled with ghee. On special occasions, various other lamps may be used for puja, the most elaborate having several tiers of wicks.
In South India, there are two types of oil lamps that are common as offerings in temples. They both have only one wick:
Deepalakshmi, a brass lamp with a depiction of goddess Sri Lakshmi over the back piece. they are usually small-size. Paavai vilakku, a brass or bronze lamp in the form of a lady holding a vessel with her hands. This type of lamp comes in different sizes, from very small to almost life-size. There are also large stone versions of this lamp in Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, especially at the base of columns and flanking the entrance of temples. recommend directory: 3528 SMD Flexible Strip with waterproof 5 Meter 300 LEDS.
