illumination
Light cast somewhere
Illumination is light that makes something visible: The only illumination came from a single candle.
It extends to decoration with lights or colorful designs, especially in medieval manuscripts with ornate borders and illustrations.
Figuratively, illumination is understanding or enlightenment—a flash of insight that clarifies what was obscure: The lecture provided real illumination on the subject.
Degree of light emitted
- glowSteady, soft light
- beamStructural support member
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
- candlelightLuminescence from burning wick
lamplight · fluorescent · incandescent · LED · halogen · lantern · torch · spotlight
Profound spiritual awakening
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- satoriSudden spiritual awakening
- epiphanySudden profound insight
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
moksha · bodhi · gnosis · transcendence · wisdom · revelation · consciousness · liberation
Applying decorative gold coating
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- marginaliaNotes in page edges
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
- vellumPrepared calfskin for writing
parchment · scriptorium · medieval · rubric · ornamentation · codex · pigment · burnishing
Making meaning plain
- explanationStatement making something clear
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- elucidationAct of explaining clearly
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
enlightening · edification · demystification · explication · interpretation · disambiguation · unraveling · decoding
Paper bag lantern
- festoonOrnamental hanging chain
- lanternsEnclosed portable light sources
- candelabrumBranched ornamental candleholder
- goboLight-blocking studio screen
brightness
Degree of light emitted
candlelight · lamplight · fluorescent · incandescent · LED · halogen · lantern · torch · spotlight · floodlight
enlightenment
Profound spiritual awakening
nirvana · moksha · bodhi · gnosis · transcendence · wisdom · revelation · consciousness · liberation · mystical
gilding
Applying decorative gold coating
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- marginaliaNotes in page edges
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
vellum · parchment · scriptorium · medieval · rubric · ornamentation · codex · pigment · burnishing
clarification
Making meaning plain
- explanationStatement making something clear
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- elucidationAct of explaining clearly
comprehension · enlightening · edification · demystification · explication · interpretation · disambiguation · unraveling · decoding · simplification
luminaria
Paper bag lantern
- festoonOrnamental hanging chain
- lanternsEnclosed portable light sources
- candelabrumBranched ornamental candleholder
gobo · votives · tea-lights
- light effectsshine, glow, gleam, shimmer, glitter
- medieval studiesmedieval studies, trivium, Middle English, medieval universities, Anglo-Saxon
- Orthodox SpiritualityDesert Fathers, stillness, holy silence, deification, watchfulness
- Hebrew manuscriptsDead Sea Scrolls, Torah scroll, sofer, vocalization, megillah
- Islamic calligraphybismillah, surah
- creativityimagination, creativity, brainstorming, unique voice, inspiration
illuminationignorance
Absence of knowledge
darkness · obscurity · confusion · misunderstanding · obfuscation
- spiritual illuminationAwakening to transcendent truth