What Do People Wear On Día De Las Velitas?

Día de las Velitas, or “Day of the Little Candles,” is a beloved holiday celebrated annually on December 7th in Colombia. It marks the unofficial start of the Christmas season across the country. The tradition began centuries ago and remains widely observed today.

On the evening of December 7th, families light candles and place them in their windows, balconies, front yards, and streets. The warm glow of the tiny flames represents hope and light during the darker winter months. The candles also commemorate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. While not an official public holiday, many businesses and schools close early so people can prepare for the lighting ritual.

The candlelight display creates a magical atmosphere throughout Colombia’s cities and towns. Neighbors also build paper lanterns called faroles and hang them outside their homes. Children make wishes when they light their candles, hoping they come true over the holiday season. Overall, Día de las Velitas kicks off weeks of celebrations leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Traditional Clothing in Colombia

Colombia boasts a rich culture with diverse regional traditions when it comes to clothing. For Día de las Velitas, many Colombians wear traditional outfits that honor the country’s heritage.

The ruana is a poncho-style cloak woven from sheep’s wool that originated in the Andean highlands. It comes in vibrant colors and patterns, providing warmth and style. The ruana is a staple of Colombian identity and commonly worn for celebrations.

The sombrero vueltiao is the iconic Colombian hat made from woven split cane. It features the yellow, blue, and red colors of the nation’s flag. The intricate weaving patterns vary by region. The sombrero vueltiao remains an important symbol of Colombian culture.

Colombian women often wear the anaco, a wrap skirt tied at the waist. Anacos come in colorful cotton or wool fabrics featuring regional embroidery. They represent the diversity of traditional dress across Colombia.

Men frequently wear the liqui liqui, which pairs loose cotton trousers with a collarless shirt. Both the liqui liqui and anaco keep wearers cool in the tropical climate while upholding cultural style.

Color Symbolism

Colors play an important symbolic role in the clothing worn on Día de las Velitas in Colombia. Certain colors are associated with different meanings and sentiments.

White is seen as a symbol of peace and hope. It represents new beginnings and fresh starts. Many people wear white or off-white clothing on this holiday as a reflection of the optimistic spirit of the celebrations.

Yellow and gold are symbolic of warmth and light. These bright colors connect to the candles and lanterns that are integral to Día de las Velitas festivities. They bring a vibrant energy to the event.

Red clothing represents love and romance. It is common for couples to wear red together on this holiday celebrated with loved ones. The bold color stands out and makes a statement.

Green apparel signifies nature, life, and renewal. This vibrant color reminds people of the beauty of the natural world around them as they celebrate.

Blue clothing conveys calmness, tranquility, and harmony. It encourages an atmosphere of introspection and reflection for the holiday.

Lanterns

One of the most iconic parts of Día de las Velitas celebrations are the lanterns that people carry. These lanterns, called faroles or luminarias, are an important symbol of the holiday.

The lanterns represent guiding lights and hope. As the days grow shorter heading into winter, the lanterns bring light and warmth. They are meant to express people’s wishes and hopes for the coming year. The lanterns are seen as carrying people’s dreams, goals, and prayers.

Typically, lanterns come in bright, vibrant colors like red, yellow, and orange. People get very creative with their lantern designs, making all kinds of shapes and sizes. From intricate metal lanterns to simple paper bags, part of the fun is decorating your own unique lantern.

Children often take great joy in making their own lanterns and then getting to carry them outside once it gets dark. Families and friends gather in the streets or parks, lighting their lanterns together and making an area glow with light.

The lanterns symbolize the power people have to illuminate the world. Even in the darkest times, the inner light within people can shine brightly and guide the way forward.

Accessories

Accessories play an important symbolic role in the Día de las Velitas tradition. Women often wear decorative combs in their hair, which represent divine illumination and wisdom. Some choose crosses or rosaries adorned with fresh flower buds and petals as a sign of new life and renewal. Earrings and necklaces may also be decorated with flowers or gemstones like emeralds that represent hope and prosperity. Ribbons or scarves are worn in bright colors to represent blessings and joy. Wreaths made from wheat symbolize the harvest, life cycles and the connection between humankind and nature. Handheld lanterns are carried at night, not only for light but as a symbol of inner light, faith and spirit.

For men, a traditional sombrero serves both as sun protection and to represent masculinity, hard work and national pride. Cowboy boots are also common, symbolizing a connection to the land. Some men carry machetes adorned with ribbons, representing strength, virility and protection. Others wear ponchos or ruanas, embroidered with cultural symbols and patterns. Cigar cases, watches or jewelry may be worn as symbols of status and sophistication.

Overall, accessories allow each person to make their own symbolic statement, while connecting with the larger themes and meanings of the Día de las Velitas tradition.

Makeup

On Día de las Velitas, makeup takes center stage along with the beautiful lanterns. Women and girls will often sport makeup looks featuring bright, vibrant colors that complement the warm candlelight.

Shades of gold, orange, red, and yellow predominate, mirroring the lively glow of the candles. These fiery tones are applied to eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick. Strong, winged eyeliner flicks are also popular, creating a bold eye look.

Glittery textures add a magical, festive touch. Face jewels in matching warm metallics help further accentuate the makeup. The overall effect is both artistic and luminous.

While the makeup palette tends to be warm, some may incorporate touches of cool purples, blues, and greens as an interesting contrast. But the focus remains on radiant, candle-inspired hues.

The special occasion makeup is applied with precision and care, elevating natural beauty while honoring the rich tradition of the candlelight holiday. For many women, planning and perfecting this makeup look is an exciting part of preparing for Día de las Velitas.

Hairstyles

Traditional hairstyles for women on Día de las Velitas often reflect the ornate and decorative spirit of the holiday. Many women wear their hair up in buns or braids accented with flowers like orchids, roses, or carnations. Intricate braided updos with strands woven together and pinned in place are also popular. These styles allow women to show off their hair accessories and floral ornaments. Young girls frequently wear their hair in pigtail or single braids tied with ribbons in bright holiday colors like yellow, purple or orange. Braided hairstyles symbolize unity and togetherness, representing family bonds. For many women, visiting a salon to get their hair specially styled for the holiday is part of the Día de las Velitas tradition. Their elaborate hairstyles complement their colorful traditional outfits as they light candles and take part in celebrations.

Footwear

There are no particularly special shoes worn on Día de las Velitas in Colombia. Since the holiday centers around lighting candles and lanterns outside of the home at dusk, most people wear comfortable, casual footwear appropriate for an evening of walking around the neighborhood.

Women often wear flats, sandals or low heels on Día de las Velitas to stay comfortable while strolling and mingling outdoors. Slip-on shoes that are easy to take on and off are popular. Bold colors or metallics may be chosen to coordinate with other festive outfit pieces.

Men typically opt for loafers, sneakers or boots for the holiday evening. Practical leather or suede shoes are prevalent. Younger guys may even wear athletic sneakers in bright hues or styles to stand out. Some men coordinate shoes to match the color of their shirt or accessories.

While footwear is not a focal point of Día de las Velitas style, most Colombians want their shoes to fit the relaxed yet celebratory spirit of the holiday. Choosing comfortable, casual and stylish shoes allows everyone to walk, gather and commemorate this beloved tradition in ease and fashion.

Modern Updates

While many Colombians continue to wear traditional clothing for Día de las Velitas, modern updates have also become popular, especially among the younger generations.

Women often put a modern spin on the traditional pollera skirt by wearing shorter or slimmer versions. The typical voluminous white pollera is sometimes swapped for a form-fitting pencil skirt in bright colors like red, blue or green.

Men have started wearing slim-fit pants and printed shirts rather than loose linen trousers and solid colored tops. Vintage style clothing, like suspenders, bow ties and newsboy caps have also risen in popularity.

Shoes have evolved from traditional leather sandals to trendy sneakers and boots. Some people forgo sandals altogether and just wear socks or go barefoot, embracing the casual laidback vibe of Día de las Velitas.

While traditional candle-lit lanterns are still popular, modern battery-operated lanterns have also become commonplace. These lanterns allow for brighter lighting and more flexibility when displaying outside the home.

The traditions of Día de las Velitas remain at the core of the holiday, but Colombians have found creative ways to incorporate current trends and styles while still honoring the significance of this beloved celebration.

Conclusion

Día de las Velitas has evolved from a simple candle lighting tradition to a meaningful cultural celebration in Colombia. The clothing and accessories worn on this special night reflect important Colombian values and customs. Traditional outfits tend to incorporate lightweight fabrics, candles or lanterns, the colors yellow, purple, and white, and cultural symbols like the ruana poncho. While modern updates are common, most outfits maintain ties to history through subtle details. The thoughtful coordination of colors, patterns, accessories, makeup, and hairstyles allows participants to honor family members who have passed on and welcome the new year with hope. Día de las Velitas clothing symbolizes optimism, remembrance, faith, and unity on one of the most important nights in Colombian culture.