Bonfire
144834
223969743
2008-07-06T19:22:40Z
Clíodhna-2
7430600
{{otheruse}}
:''See also [[campfire]].''
[[Image:Unlit Pyre, Swiss National Day 2007.JPG|right|thumb|180px|An unlit bonfire for [[Swiss National Day]]]]A '''bonfire''' is a large controlled outdoor [[fire]]. The word is a contraction of "bone fire" (cf. for example "kostjor" in Russian - from "kost'" meaning "bone"). The practice is believed to derive from the [[Celt]]ic festival of [[Samhain]] when animal [[bone]]s were burnt to ward off evil [[spiritual being|spirits]].
In [[Great Britain]], bonfires are particularly associated with ''[[Guy Fawkes Night]]'' (also known as ''[[firework]]s night'' or ''[[bonfire night]]''), an annual commemoration of the discovery of the [[The Gunpowder Plot]] on [[5 November]] [[1605]]. In [[Sussex]] they are particularly associated with the execution of [[Protestant]] [[martyrs]]. In [[Northern Ireland]], they are associated with celebrations on the anniversary of the [[Battle of the Boyne]], which took place on [[12 July]] [[1690]]. Along with the [[Maypole]], it is an important component of the [[Wicca]]n and [[Neopaganism|Neopagan]] celebration of [[Beltaine]], also known as [[May Day]]. In the [[United States]], a bonfire is often held at the end of a [[Homecoming]] rally.
On [[Christmas]] Eve in Southern [[Louisiana]], bonfires are built along the [[Mississippi River]] [[levee]]s to light the way for [[Santa Claus]] as he moves along the river with his skiff pulled by eight [[alligator]]s. This tradition is an annual event in [[St. James Parish]], [[Louisiana]].<ref>http://www.stjamesparish.com/local/localinfo/BONFIRES/Bonfir1.htm</ref>
== International variants ==
[[Image:Dartmouth bonfire.jpg|right|thumb|A bonfire at [[Dartmouth College]]]]In many regions of continental Europe, bonfires are made traditionally on [[24 June]], which is, for [[Roman Catholic]]s, the [[solemnity]] of [[John the Baptist]], but as well on Saturday night before Easter. The rite is, however, older, and originally was a [[Paganism|pagan]] celebration of the summer [[solstice]] and hence celebrated as "[[midsummer]]" on [[21 June]].
In North-Eastern [[Italy]], bonfires are held on the [[Epiphany]] day (6th of January). On top of the bonfire, a straw witch dressed with old clothes is placed. The tradition probably has a pre-Christian origin, symbolizing the old year, which is burnt and which is then ready to be born again.
In [[Denmark]], the bonfires are held on the night of the 23rd of June, combined with the burning of a witch made from straw and clothes.
In [[Ireland]], bonfires are held on the night of [[31 October]] to celebrate [[Halloween]]. In certain areas of Ireland, particularly in [[Limerick]], bonfires are held on [[30 April]] to celebrate the festival of [[Beltane]]. In Cork, 'Bonfire Night' is held on the night of [[23 June]] to celebrate St John's Eve.
In [[Iceland]], bonfires are traditional on [[New Year's Eve]], and on [[January 6]], which is the last day of the Icelandic Christmas season.
In [[Japan]], large fires called bon-bi are set to welcome the return of the spirits of the ancestors. Though the two terms are not etymologically or historically related, they serve similar
purposes and indicate the universal importance of large fires.
In [[Israel]], in the eve of [[Lag Ba'Omer]], youngsters and their parents light bonfires in open spaces in cities and towns throughout the country. One knows that Lag Ba'Omer is drawing near when children begin collecting wood boards, old doors, and anything made from wood that can burn. This happens from a week to 10 days before Lag Ba'Omer. As Lag Ba'Omer approaches, the situation gets to the point where building contractors have to employ extra night watchmen to make sure that wooden planks and scaffolding are not taken by the eager youngsters. And, of course, the fire department is kept very busy on Lag Ba'Omer eve when the bonfires are lit and where the danger exists of fires getting out of control.
In [[Slovenia]], bonfires are traditionally held on the evening before [[May 1]], commemorating [[Labour Day]].
The bonfire is part of a ritual of purification and consecration. In ancient times, [[cattle]], important symbols of wealth and status, were led through the smoke of a bonfire. Couples who were to be [[marriage|wed]] on May Day would leap through the flames of the bonfire to seal their vows. [[Coal]]s from a bonfire would be taken home to light the fires in family [[hearth]]s, a practice thought to bring good [[luck|fortune]]. It was also believed that the residents of the [[Faery]] realm were incapable of producing fire themselves; embers of bonfires would be carried to the [[underworld]] and tended there.
Nine types of wood are commonly placed into a traditional [[Wiccan]] balefire. Collectively these are known as "The Nine Woods" or "Nine Woods". These woods are [[Birch]] (representing The Goddess, or female energy), [[Oak]] (representing The God, or male energy) [[Hazel]] (representing knowledge and wisdom) [[Rowan]] (Mountain Ash) (representing life) [[Common Hawthorn]] (representing purity and fairy magick) [[Willow]] (representing death),[[Fir]] (representing birth and rebirth), [[Apple]] (representing love and family), and [[Vine]]. In some regions, superstition, religious belief, or tradition prohibits the cutting of certain trees, most notably in [[Witchcraft]] customs the [[Elderberry]] tree; "Elder be ye Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed ye'll be" --A rhyme from an [[Oral tradition]].
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Large bonfire.jpg
Image:Bonfire3.jpg
Image:Bonfire2.jpg
Image:Bonfire4.jpg
Image:Bonfire_inferno.jpg|A Wiccan bonfire or balefire
Image:BonfireinBraniel.JPG|An unlit bonfire in the [[Braniel]], [[Northern Ireland]]
Image:Aggiebonfire2005.jpg|[[Aggie Bonfire]]
Image:Garden bonfire.jpg
</gallery>
== See also ==
*[[Aggie Bonfire]]; includes 1999 disaster that killed 12 people when it collapsed during construction
*[[Need-fire]]
*[[Burning Man]]
*[[Fire]]
*[[Fire ritual]]
*[[Bonfire Rally]]
*[[Sussex Bonfire Societies]]
== References ==
<references/>
== External links ==
{{Commons|Bonfire}}
*[http://www.widdershins.org/vol3iss1/b9704.htm Dancing May Day Through History]
[[Category:Festivals]]
[[Category:Fire]]
[[Category:Halloween events]]
[[Category:Summer traditions]]
[[Category:Seasonal traditions]]
[[als:Funkenfeuer]]
[[da:Bål]]
[[de:Funkenfeuer]]
[[es:Hoguera]]
[[he:מדורה]]
[[lt:Laužas]]
[[nl:Vreugdevuur]]
[[ja:焚き火]]
[[no:Bål]]
[[nrm:Fouée]]
[[pt:Fogueira]]
[[ru:Костёр]]
[[simple:Bonfire]]
[[sl:Kres]]
[[fi:Juhannuskokko]]
[[bat-smg:Laužos]]
[[fr:Feu_de_joie]]