The Human Attraction to Lights

**morgs** · 12-19-2012 01:18 PM

Hi everyone, first post here!

First let me state that While I do believe in a spiritual afterlife, I am not religious, although that is probably irrelevant here.

I was just standing quietly in my living room, gazing at the fairy lights we have up as Christmas decorations, and it got me thinking. We, as humans seem to have a love of lights, whether fireworks, fire itself, fairy lights etc, there is something about these forms of light that is often inspiring and comforting to us. Of course I may be completely ignorant about what other people think about lights, but I know it's a very common thing.

Why do you think this is? Could it be that it reminds us of spirit? or the "light" you often hear of in relation to the afterlife or spiritual world? I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

**ZeraCook** · 12-20-2012 09:27 AM

I too am spiritual but not religious.

My theory on it is that its because we are creatures of light. Same as how sound comforts some, lullabies putting babies to sleep.
Same as how I get a better nights rest if I'm sleeping with someone, Its because they trigger our senses I would think.

**CitizenOfZeal** · 01-02-2013 07:31 PM

Is God or entering the afterlife often described as light because that is the feeling natural light gives us, or is natural light appealing because of the underlying spiritual association?

I think when it comes to Christmas lights, for example, it is a combination of light with playfulness or celebration. Seeing colored lights along with ornaments and associating it with family, gifts, food, etc. makes it seem appealing.

But as to natural light, say, it could be argued that since humans are primarily diurnal, that is why we are attracted to the light. Of course, some like darkness, but it is not in the same, life-affirming, life-giving way that humans are drawn to light. Fascination with the darkness is more of an interest, whereas being drawn to light is something we need to live. So light is a symbol, but is literally described as emanating from God as well.

**DeathCell** · 01-03-2013 08:56 AM

Early man was likely living for the Sun, we created fire to keep us warm.. light conquers the dark every morning.. Of course we like lights.

**ThePreserver** · 01-04-2013 07:31 AM

Light comes from various sources of energy (often heat) which allows for our existence. Without a sun, we'd not exist. Without warmth and visible light to find our way around the planet, we wouldn't exist. Darkness leaves us without sight, a sense that we rely on heavily, rendering us very very vulnerable (Think instead "why do we hate the absence of light" rather than "why do we cherish light"?)

Light's good.

**The Sandman** · 01-04-2013 04:13 PM

E=MC^2

Everything is energy. This is a physical world, and light is a type of energy. We need light. We also need terra firma. Light is warm to our sensibility even if not creating warmth for our bodies, but as others have mentioned, we need the sun or fire to keep us warm. It kind of makes sense we are attracted to simple light. It helps us see, but it also gives us a warm feeling. We can see there is not a bear next to us.

I have considered mans love of light many, many times. I have made star boxes with fiber optics like an artistic night light. I think it is a natural winner. On a similar but separate note, I believe man is attracted to shapes like pyramids, cubes, and spheres. I believe we are drawn to these shapes like primary colors. These are all things that share a life vibration with man. We feel comfortable with them. That's just my own theory.