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The Filipino Symbol Of The Star Of Bethlehem
Christmas
Parol: A Colorful And Traditional Christmas Symbol In The Philippines
Christmas parol, also known and the
Christmas lantern, is a traditional Filipino symbol of the star of Bethlehem.
It is the most recgnized Christmas symbol of faith and hope in the Philippines.
The
Christmas parol is considered the greatest expression of the Christmas spirit
in the Philippines.
It
signals the beginning of the Christmas season for the country.
What
is a Christmas parol?
In
the Filipino language, the word parol means lantern.
The
traditional parol is a five point star-shaped Christmas lantern which has been
a time-honoured Christmas symbol in the Philippines.
You see parols hanging in every
street and road of towns and cities, outside almost every Filipino home, in
schools and office buildings, shopping malls, and even churches during the
entire Christmas season which usually starts as early as November.
As
a traditional Christmas symbol for every Filipino, the Christmas parol is a
reminder of the star of Bethlehem.
It
symbolizes the guiding light of the Three Wise Men to the manger of the Child
Jesus.
There is no other Christmas symbol in
the Philippines that exudes more warmth than these Christmas lanterns called
parol. These Christmas lanterns are very unique to the Philippines.
Parol-making
is a traditional folk craft of Filipinos. It is even taught to school children.
Schools hold lantern parades every
year to showcase the artwork of these students. The original parols were made
from very simple materials.
The
star-shaped frames were made of thin bamboo covered with colored cellophane or
Japanese paper (rice paper) and crepe paper.
Underneath
were two tails that served as the rays of the star. Either a candle or a
coconut oil lamp was used for illumination.
Today, these Filipino Christmas
lanterns called parol come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials. It
need not be star-shaped anymore.
The
parols can either be round, rectangular, or even square with the Nativity scene
in it.
Some
special shapes like flowers, Santa Clause and angel are also being designed and
made today. However, the basic concept remains the same.
The
traditional star-shaped lanterns have even evolved into parols made of Capiz
shell or plastic.
Wrought irons have replaced the
traditional bamboo stick frames. Meticulously designed modern Philippine
Christmas lanterns use layers of these materials with different stickers.
This
creates an impression of depth and contrast despite having only one source of
light coming from inside the lanterns themselves.
Not
only have the frames and materials evolved. The candle and the coconut lamp
that used to illuminate the star have evolved too.
The
parol's have been made even more colorful by using colorful blinking bulbs in a
kaleidoscope of patterns.
Indeed,
these innovations from the traditional parol showcase the ingenuity, creativity
and artistic talent of the Filipinos.
History of Chrismas Parol and the Philippine Christmas
Celebration
Parol,
which is pronounced as pah-roll with a rolling “r”, came from the Spanish word
“farol” which means lantern.
The
World Book’s Christmas in the Philippines wrote that the origin of parol can be
traced from the Mexican pinata.
Originally,
the pinata came to Spain from Italy in the 1300’s. Later, it spread to Mexico.
It
was, however, the Spaniards who brought the concept of pinata to the
Philippines when they brought Christianity in the country.
The book “A Child’s Pasko: Christmas
in the Philippines” wrote that the first parols where made to be used as
lanterns to light the way to the church for the Misa de Aguinaldo or Gift
Masses that were held everyday.
During
those times, the church started to hold these masses on December 16 until the
midnight of December 24.
The Christmas mass celebration on
December 16 marked the beginning of the Christmas season in the Philippines.
On
the other hand, the midnight mass on Christmas Eve, called Misa de Gallo or
Mass of the Rooster, marked the culmination of the Christmas celebration.
The
Christmas eve mass is later followed by a sumptuous meal shared by the whole
family.
This
Christmas eve meal, called Noche Buena, was most awaited part of the celebrated
by children. This Christmas tradition is still being observed by Filipino
families up to today.
Stories about parol as told by old folks say that they would
hang their parols outside their windows after coming home to church to display
their work of art.
Their parols are lighted with candles or coconut oil lamps,
so that villagers who would walk around can appreciate the works of others.
Every Filipino household would make their parol with better
design each year and even outdo those of their neighbors.
Later, this friendly competition was encouraged by the
church.
Spanish priests offered incentives for people who created the
best parol. It was them when the parols were viewed as devotional offering of
the Filipino families to Jesus.
Parol- Making as a Symbol of Hope
Over
the years, the popularity of parol has not only made it the most recognizable
Christmas symbol for the Filipinos.
These
Philippine Christmas lanterns also became the symbol of hope to many parol
makers. Many Filipinos have made parol-making business as a source of income.
They begin to make their parols as
early as June of each year and start to sell them in the market starting in
October.
Parol
stores and parol vendors are seen along strrets and highways and even shopping
malls.
In
fact, because of the intricacy of the parol designs today, parols are already
being sold overseas.
These
export quality Christmas lanterns are usually made of capiz shells and can be
re-used every year.
There
are even parols that are being sold online.
Parol
as a Festival of Lights
Parol
as a major part of the Philippine Christmas celebration has become a festival
of lights.
Homes,
businesses, streets, and parks are brightly lit with spectacular displays of
beautiful and colorfully blinking parols.
One
must travel at night everywhere in the city starting on December 16 until January
6 to see the peak of this Festival of Lights in the Philippines.
The
most lavish and spectacular parade of parols or Philippine Christmas lanterns
is held every year in San Fernando, Pampanga in Luzon.
As
much as twenty feet parols in the most unique shapes, colors and sizes made
from all kins of materials paraded around the streets on truck beds.
This
Giant Lantern Festival has become the event that the province of Pampanga is
known for.
Local
and foreign tourists marvel at the parade of wonderful parols with
kaleidoscopic blinking lights.
The parols of today do not just
represent the innovation, artistry and creativity of the Filipinos.
For
the Filipinos, parol-making, decorating and lighting a parol also signifies
shared faith and hope.
That
is why Christmas Parol is the most recognizable Christmas symbol for Filipinos
not just in the Philippines but in every country where there is a Filipino
family and community.
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