The Christmas Lantern or Parol
The guiding light during the holiday season
The guiding light during the holiday season
If western countries have the Christmas Tree as their iconic
Christmas symbol, the Philippines has the parol or Christmas
lantern. Shaped like a star, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem that
guided the three kings to the manger, the parol (from Spanish
farol), it is part of the tradition that gradually grew after the
introduction of Christianity by the Spaniards. The parol started as a
home-made lantern that lighted the paths of people going to and
from the church for the dawn or midnight mass leading to
Christmas day. During the Spanish regime in the country, there
was no electricity yet, and when people got home, they would hang
the parol above their front window, and every home would be
lighted by a parol, signifying the victory of light over darkness, and
the triumph of the good as Jesus Christ was born. The parol also
symbolizes the Filipino’s belief in the Messiah and their hope for
peace and happiness.
While the traditional parol was made up of bamboo sticks covered
with Japanese paper and illuminated inside with a candle, the
newer designs come in different shapes and sizes, made up of
various materials including aluminum wires, capiz shells, straws,
glass, plastic, wood, etc. Artistic designs such as Santa Claus on a
calesa or with his reindeer, the Holy Family, bells, rose, and
Christmas Tree have joined the displays of various star-shaped
parols. Almost all parols nowadays are illuminated with dancing
electric lights of various shapes, sizes, and colors. With many
homes decorated with the modern parol, every street during the
Christmas season seems to celebrate a Festival of Lights.
–Heidi M. Pascual
Christmas symbol, the Philippines has the parol or Christmas
lantern. Shaped like a star, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem that
guided the three kings to the manger, the parol (from Spanish
farol), it is part of the tradition that gradually grew after the
introduction of Christianity by the Spaniards. The parol started as a
home-made lantern that lighted the paths of people going to and
from the church for the dawn or midnight mass leading to
Christmas day. During the Spanish regime in the country, there
was no electricity yet, and when people got home, they would hang
the parol above their front window, and every home would be
lighted by a parol, signifying the victory of light over darkness, and
the triumph of the good as Jesus Christ was born. The parol also
symbolizes the Filipino’s belief in the Messiah and their hope for
peace and happiness.
While the traditional parol was made up of bamboo sticks covered
with Japanese paper and illuminated inside with a candle, the
newer designs come in different shapes and sizes, made up of
various materials including aluminum wires, capiz shells, straws,
glass, plastic, wood, etc. Artistic designs such as Santa Claus on a
calesa or with his reindeer, the Holy Family, bells, rose, and
Christmas Tree have joined the displays of various star-shaped
parols. Almost all parols nowadays are illuminated with dancing
electric lights of various shapes, sizes, and colors. With many
homes decorated with the modern parol, every street during the
Christmas season seems to celebrate a Festival of Lights.
–Heidi M. Pascual
| Modern Christmas lanterns are sold in notable places like San Fernando, Pampanga. |