The Candles

The Candles are a collection of lights that appear in the night sky over the Great Ring immediately after the Winter Solstice each year. They are known by many names, but are widely considered to be a sign of good fortune and good will. There are several dozen of these lights, and they persist in the sky for five or six days, crossing from east to west during that time. Their color varies a little, but they are mostly yellow and orange, and resemble tiny flames high in the night sky. The appearance of the Candles are marked by celebrations and festivals across the many cultures of the islands. 
In Saba, the Candles are known as the Lumoshra. To the Naga, they symbolize the triumph of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. They celebrate their appearance by decorating their homes with many lights, using lanterns and candles. They also mark the event with fireworks, large feasts, and many towns and villages will hold parades or street festivals. 
In the Norður Islands, they celebrate Kerzennächte when the Candles are overhead. It is a time to renew bonds with family and friends, to spend time with your loved ones, and is marked with the exchange of presents and good wishes. In Eyju there is a particular focus on comfort and coziness during this time, and on the appreciation of the simple things in life. 
In the kingdoms of Ynys, the Candles appear during the celebration of the Interannum, a period of time that sits between the new year and the old. Traditionally, the Interannum is seen as time when fates can be changed, and the Candles are seen as a symbol of hope for a brighter future. 
The Kitsunejin call these lights the Hinode-mushi, or Fireflies. They hold lavish stargazing parties during the nights they are in the sky, with dancing and feasting beneath the stars. 
Among the Mu'o'a, the Candles are known as the Sulu'aku. During the nights they can be seen, the Mu'o'a observe a time of rest and reflection. Food is prepared in advance, and all but the most important tasks are laid aside, so they can spend their time unencumbered by their normal responsibilities. 
On Nisi and the other Kaphtor Islands, the Candles represent the promise of renewal and the coming spring. Their festivities have a theme of fertility, with cakes shaped like genitalia, erotic jokes, and bawdy dances. 
In contrast, the Yanjin in the Empire of Wamato see it as a time of cleansing and purification. They use this time to enjoy long soaks in the many hot springs across Kojima, eating foods with auspicious qualities, and praying for health and fortune in the seasons ahead. 
These are not all the celebrations that accompany the appearance of the Candles, but they are a fair representation of how they are greeted. Wherever you are in the Islands, the Candles are greeted with joy and good feelings.

Type

Natural