Luchina
A luchina () is a long thin sliver/chip or plate of wood, most commonly used  as a miniature torch  for makeshift lighting of the interiors of buildings in the history of Russia.  Similar implements were used in other countries, e.g., Poland (called :pl:Łuczywo), Ukraine (called :uk:Скіпка or Лучина).

Luchinas are best used from luchina cuts of log; it was steam-heated in a russian stove for easy splintering. Splintering was done with the help of a special large knife called luchinnik. or . It may also be done with a special implement, similar to a carpenter's plane. 

For lighting, luchina is inserted in a crack in the wooden wall or in a special holder called svetets. A small metal svetets may be stuck in a wooden wall. A more elaborate svetets may be manufactured with a stand. A small basin with water is usually placed under the svetets, to collect ashes and coals.

In Poland, luczywo, known under various regional names,  could also be placed in a special cavity in the stove or on a special hearth attached to the stove, or in hanging holders.

In Polesian huts luchinas were burned using svitach (Світач, Polish:Świtacz), an implement that consisted of wooden pipe leading through the roof, under which an iron grate was hanging, on which luchinas were burned.

A part of servicing of luchina/luczywo, usually done by children, was to remove the charred tips, for brighter light.

Usage of  luchina/luczywo had a number of drawbacks enumerated in an 1828 article by a colonel Piotr Kołogriwow, which suggested to use burning of hemp stalks for lighting. He identified the following issues:
Waste of big amounts of good wood (because bad wood (crooked or knotty) is not used for luchinas), because in winter nearly all dark time is used by peasants for various chores and winter works.
Fires, due to carelessness
Time spent for preparation of wood for luchina
Injuries during luchina splintering
Smoke in the house is bad for eyes and breathing.
Kołogriwow argues all the above drawbacks are absent if hemp were to be used.

Luchanas may also be used as a kindling|kindling to start a fire and for making laths for  lath and plaster works.

In culture
Luchina, poem by Marina Tsvetaeva
 Luchina is an alternative name for the Russian song То не ветер ветку клонит
Luchinushka ("darling Luchina") is the title of several songs and poems, see :s:ru:Лучина

See also
Rushlight, a similar lighting implement  by soaking the dried pith of the rush plant in fat or grease.
Fatwood
:de:Maulaffe, German fatwood lighter holder
List of light sources

References

Light sources
Wood products