Day of the Little Candles
little candle day immaculate conception eve spanish día de la velitas widely observed religious holiday colombia celebrated december eve immaculate conception public holiday colombia day unofficial start christmas season country although official day first advent sunday november th december rd night people place candle paper lantern windowsill balcony porch sidewalk street park square short everywhere seen honor virgin mary immaculate conception december mandatory work customary house hoist white flag image virgin mary day also hold numerous event firework show competition celebration night little candle date december pope pius ix defined dogma immaculate conception virgin mary published apostolic constitution ineffabilis deus anticipation decision people lit candle paper lantern show support belief idea colombia many place world announcement observed lighting candle catholic church colombia kept alive celebration made annual tradition lighting candle night december place celebrate night little candle several night december particularly paisa region believed derive hanukkah tradition since large number paisa jewish descent el día de la velitas celebrated throughout colombia tradition vary region city municipality quimbaya quindío department important cultural event candle lantern festival full name spanish fiesta nacional del concurso de alumbrados con vela faroles began held year december neighborhood township competes produce spectacular lighting arrangement many visitor come throughout colombia admire display quimbayan christmas panther indigenous figure recognized native mestizo community quindío department colombia belief christmas panther el puma de navidad developed throughout history quimbayan holiday known alumbrado de navidad see feast immaculate conception celebrated th december recognition roman catholic belief immaculate conception blessed virgin mary believed significance puma stem arrival ethnically spanish colonialist antioquia region colonialist catholic tradition using candlelight celebrate immaculate conception combined belief local quimbaya tribe effect fire luce de fogota protecting panther attack puma local fauna believed fear fire thus instance religious syncretism alumbrado de navidad symbolism puma native people linked still common occurrence display symbol panther form sculpture made terra cotta cloth plastic etc conjunction lighting candle night december th religious syncretism especially visible rural pueblo quindio many resident claim full partial descent quimbaya native people region bogotá christmas decoration reach peak day city fully decorated plan late activity whole family since colombian would admiring show many street close traffic allow pedestrian walk freely stop admire light arrangement mall museum store public place extended hour operation many show take place night live nativity scene caroling event among others caribbean region colombia lighting candle lantern take place early hour december sunrise instead night devout catholic wake sunrise light candle family member many people decide stay night party celebration light candle sometimes retreat bed family meet celebrate day along lighting candle abundant food drink evening brings extended family group together talk evening cali valle del cauca people also walk along cali river illuminated season novena cruz j colombia history latin american church handbook pp medium httpsdoiorgjcttmtk photo night little candle imagenes del dia de la velitas