Let there be light
Let there be light is a common English translation of the Latin phrase fiat lux, which describes the creation of light by God near the beginning of Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. Fiat lux is adapted from the Greek phrase γενηθήτω φώς (genēthētō phōs), which in turn comes from the Hebrew יְהִי אוֹר (yhiy 'owr). It is one of the most famous phrases in the English language due to its presence in the third verse of the King James Bible:
- 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
- 1:2 - And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
- And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
- 1:3 - And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
- 1:4 - And God saw the light, that it was good:
Contents |
Fiat lux
The Latin phrase fiat lux, from the Latin Vulgate Bible, is typically translated as "let there be light" when relating to Genesis 1:3 (Hebrew: "יְהִי אוֹר"). The full phrase is "dixitque Deus fiat lux et facta est lux" ("And said God, let there be light, and there was light"), from the Greek "και είπεν ο Θεός γενηθήτω φως και εγένετο φως" (kai eipen o Theos genēthētō phōs kai egeneto phōs), from the Hebrew "וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי אוֹר; וַיְהִי-אוֹר" (wayo'mer 'Elohiym yhiy 'owr wayhiy 'owr).
Since fiat lux would be more literally translated as "let light be made" (fiat is from fieri, the passive form of the verb facere, "to make" or "to do"), an alternative Latinization of the original Greek and Hebrew, lux sit ("light - let it exist" or "let light exist") has been used occasionally, such as in the motto of the University of Washington.
Use
Fiat lux is the motto of the University of California, University of Akron, and Rollins College, and appears on the seals of the three universities. It is also the motto of the University of Lethbridge in southern Alberta, Canada; Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts; Alfred University, Alfred, N.Y. and has been referred to in multiple movies, books, and games—often for its metaphorical meaning of dispelling ignorance. It also appears on the outside of Kerns Religious Life Center at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Fiat Lux is also on the seal of Jacksonville University.
Fiat Lux is also the name of a controversial cult of some 500 members, based in Switzerland and Germany, led by the prophetess "Uriella". It is relatively unknown outside of German-speaking countries.
Fiat Lux is also the name of an independent animated short shown on Eye Drops.
Fiat Lux was also a very obscure british 80s band, quite similar to Depeche Mode. Today, it has a small but dedicated following, although it never enjoy much mainsteam success. It was formed in Yorkshire, England in 1982. They had a slightly popular single named 'Secrets', which many people today might recognize without being able to name the band. They also released three other singles and a mini-lp called 'Hired History'.
Fiat Lux is also the name of a Paducah, Kentucky based punk rock band.
Fiat Lux is a Brazilian matchstick trademark.
In literature
Let There Be Light is an elegantly written comic diary by the English humourist Tony Gillan, published in 2001. The title refers to the Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland A.F.C., a football club. Despite the fact that the diaries are based on the time the author spent as an employee of the club, the book is not really concerned with football, but provides a vehicle for comic descriptions of modern life. The book has given cult status to the Ivy House pub in Sunderland, now a minor tourist attraction.
Let There Be Light is a short story Robert A. Heinlein wrote and published in Super Science Stories magazine in May 1940 under the pseudonym Lyle Monroe.
Fiat Lux is a science fiction novella by Walter M. Miller, Jr, published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1956. It appears as the middle part of the book A Canticle for Leibowitz, published in 1959.
