A candlelight vigil or candlelit vigil or candlelight service is an outdoor assembly of people carrying candles, held after sunset in order to pray, show support for a specific cause, or remember the dead, in which case, the event is often called a candlelight memorial. Such events may be held to protest the suffering of some marginalized group of people. A large candlelight vigil may have invited speakers with a public address system and may be covered by local or national media. Speakers give their speech at the beginning of the vigil to explain why they are holding a vigil and what it represents. Vigils may also have a religious purpose that contains prayer and fasting. On Christmas Eve many churches hold a candlelight vigil.
Candlelight vigils are seen as a nonviolent way to raise awareness of a cause and to motivate change, as well as uniting and supporting those attending the vigil.
Candlelight vigils in South Korea
In South Korea, the Candlelight vigils, or Candlelight protests is a symbolic collective gathering of political dissent in South Korea to combat injustice peacefully. This method of protesting began in 2002 as a result of the Yangju highway incident, was utilized in the rallies against the impeachment of Roh Moo-hyun in 2004, re-used again in the 2008 U.S. beef protests, and emerged in the 2016-18 President Park Geun-hye protests.
Candlelight vigils in EVE Online
In the video game community of EVE Online, a "Cyno Vigil" (Cynosural Field) is held in remembrance of players who have died. The in game slang of "lighting a candle" is used when activating the Cynosural Field.
Gallery
See also
Grave candle
References
External links
American Medical Students Association, Planning Candle Light Vigils
"Example Candle Light Vigil for the Little Ambassador"