Editing Oil lamp (section)

==In religious contexts==

===Judaism===
[[Image:Three Oil Jews lamps from Sardegna MUSEO NAZIONA SANNA SASSARI.jpg|thumb|Jewish [[terracotta]] oil lamps from [[Sardinia]] in the Museo Nazionale Sanna, Sassari]]

Lamps appear in the Torah and other Jewish sources as a symbol of "lighting" the way for the righteous, the wise, and for love and other positive values. While fire was often described as being destructive, light was given a positive spiritual meaning. The oil lamp and its light were important household items, and this may explain their symbolism. Oil lamps were used for many spiritual rituals.
The oil lamp and its light also became important ritualistic articles with the further development of Jewish culture and religion. The Temple [[Menorah (Temple)|Menorah]], a ritual seven-branched oil lamp used in the [[Second Temple]], forms the centre of the [[Chanukah]] story.

===Christianity===<!-- [[Lampada]] redirects here -->
[[File:Saint Mercurius, bishop of Smolensk.jpg|thumb|Oil lamp burning before the [[icon]] of St. Mercurius of Smolensk, [[Kyiv Pechersk Lavra]], [[Ukraine]]]]

There are several references to oil lamps in the [[New Testament]]. In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Roman Catholic Church]], and [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] oil lamps ({{langx|el|kandili}}, {{langx|cu|lampada}}) are still used both on the [[Holy Table]] (altar) and to illuminate [[icon]]s on the [[iconostasis]] and around the [[temple]] (church building). Orthodox Christians will also use oil lamps in their homes to illuminate their [[icon corner]]. Traditionally, the [[sanctuary lamp]] in an Orthodox church is an oil lamp. It is lit by the [[bishop]] when the church is [[consecrated]], and ideally it should burn perpetually thereafter. The oil burned in all of these lamps is traditionally [[olive oil]]. Oil lamps are also referenced as a symbol throughout the New Testament, including in the [[Parable of the Ten Virgins]].

===Hinduism===
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2015}}
{{See also | Aarti | Diwali | Rangoli }}

[[File:Paavai-vilakku8.JPG|thumb|upright=.5|left|{{lang|ta-Latn|Paavai vilakku}}: brass oil lamp from [[Tamil Nadu]] in the image of [[Andal]]]]

Oil lamps are commonly used in [[Hindu temple]]s as well as in home shrines. Generally the lamps used in temples are circular with places for five wicks. They are made of metal and either suspended on a chain or screwed onto a pedestal. There will usually be at least one lamp in each shrine, and the main shrine may contain several. Usually only one wick is lit, with all five burning only on festive occasions. The oil lamp is used in the Hindu ritual of [[Aarti]].

In the home shrine, the style of lamp is usually different, containing only one wick. There is usually a piece of metal that forms the back of the lamp, which has a picture of a [[Hindu deity]] embossed on it. In many houses, the lamp burns all day, but in other homes, it is lit at sundown. The lamp in the home shrine is supposed to be lit before any other lights are turned on at night.

A hand-held oil lamp or [[incense sticks]] (lit from the lamp) are also used during the Hindu [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] ceremony. In the North of India, a five-wick lamp is used, usually fueled with [[ghee]]. On special occasions, various other lamps may be used for puja, the most elaborate having several tiers of wicks.

In [[South India]], there are a few types of oil lamps that are common in temples and traditional rituals. Some of the smaller ones are used for offerings as well.

[[File:Deepalakshmi56.JPG|thumb|upright=.5|A {{lang|hi-Latn|Deepalakshmi}} oil lamp from [[Kumbakonam]]]]
; {{lang|hi-Latn|Deepalakshmi}}: A brass lamp with a depiction of goddess [[Sri Lakshmi]] over the back piece. They are usually small and have only one wick.
; ''[[Nilavilakku]]'': A tall brass or bronze lamp on a stand where the wicks are placed at a certain height.
; {{lang|ta-Latn|Paavai vilakku}}: A brass or bronze lamp in the form of a lady holding a vessel with her hands. This type of lamp comes in different sizes, from very small to almost life-size. There are also large stone versions of this lamp in Hindu temples and shrines of [[Karnataka]], [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Kerala]], especially at the base of columns and flanking the entrance of temples. They have only one wick.
; {{lang|ta-Latn|Thooku vilakku}}: A brass or bronze lamp hanging from a chain, often with multiple wicks.
; ''[[Nachiarkoil lamp]]'': An ornamental brass lamp made of series of [[Diya (lamp)|diya]]s, a [[handicraft]] product which is exclusively made by the Pather ([[Kammalar (caste)|Kammalar]]) community in [[Nachiyar Koil]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India.<ref name=nachiar1>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/71543906.cms|title=PM Narendra Modi gifts Xi Jinping Annam lamp and Thanjavur painting|website=Times of India|date=11 October 2019}}</ref>

When the [[Brihadeeswarar Temple|Big Temple]] in [[Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu]], was built 1010 AD, there were elaborate measures taken to provide lighting for the temple. Lands were donated to or conquered for the temple for this sole objective. The income from these lands would go towards providing the oil for the lights.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O1b1N_Dx0jsC&pg=PA87|title=The Royal Temple of Rajaraja: An Instrument of Imperial Cola Power|first=Geeta|last=Vasudevan|year=2003|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=8170173833}}</ref>

===Chinese===
[[Image:Malaysian god shrine.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Traditional Chinese shrine in [[Petaling Jaya]], [[Malaysia]], containing an oil lamp]]
Oil lamps are lit at traditional Chinese shrines before either an image of a deity or a plaque with [[Classical Chinese]] characters giving the name of the deity. Such lamps are usually made from clear glass (giving them a similar appearance to normal drinking glasses) and are filled with oil, sometimes with water underneath. A cork or plastic floater containing a wick is placed on top of the oil with the bottom of the wick submerged in the oil.

Such lamps are kept burning in shrines, whether private or public, and incense sticks or [[joss sticks]] are lit from the lamp.