In ancient times, there was no electricity, and life at night was full of colors and moods that were very different from those of modern times. People at that time had to rely on natural light and burning materials to illuminate their nights, which gave the rhythm and movement of the night a unique style.
- Illuminated tools
The most common lighting tools used by ancient people were oil lamps and candles, two devices that played a vital role in ancient society. Oil lamps are lighting appliances that use vegetable oils, animal fats, etc. as fuel, and their history dates back thousands of years.
In ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, ancient Rome and other civilizations, the use of oil lamps was extremely common, and the construction of oil lamps was usually relatively simple, a container for oil and a wick made of cotton thread, the wick absorbed grease and burned, producing a warm and soft light.
In China, the development of oil lamps also has a long history, and archaeological finds show that people began to use simple oil lamps as early as the late Neolithic period.
By the Han Dynasty, the craftsmanship of oil lamps had improved significantly, and lamps made of bronze and ceramics were not only practical but often beautifully decorated, providing not only basic illumination at night, but also an important part of art and culture.
There are various types of fuel for oil lamps, such as vegetable oils such as olive oil and sesame oil, and animal fats such as fish oil and tallow, which are all common choices. Different fuels produce different levels of light and smoke.
In order to improve the efficiency of combustion, the wick is usually made of cotton thread, a material that is able to better absorb grease and maintain a stable flame. Over time, various lampshades and reflective devices were also invented to enhance the brightness and illumination range of oil lamps.
Although the brightness of oil lamps is not as bright as modern electric lamps, in ancient times, it was already quite advanced lighting equipment, and the use of oil lamps was not limited to domestic lighting, but was also widely used in religious ceremonies, cultural activities and commercial places.
In the markets, temples and caravans at night, the light of oil lamps provides an important source of light for people, prolongs the duration of activities, and promotes social and economic development.
Candles were another important lighting tool commonly used by ancient people, they were usually made from beeswax or animal fat, and beeswax candles were especially popular because they burned almost smokeless and had a stable light.
Candles made from animal fat, although less expensive, may produce more smoke and odors when burned. Whatever the candle, it provided an important source of light for the night in ancient homes.
In ancient times, candles were mainly used for home lighting, and when night falls, candles are lit in the main activity areas of the home to provide enough light for family members to carry out their daily activities.
However, due to the weak light of candles and oil lamps, their illumination range is limited, and they usually only cover a small area, which makes the activities of ancient people at night often concentrated in a room or a small area.
In the dim light of the candles, family members sit together for various family activities, and the elders tell the children stories, which are not only entertaining, but also a way to transmit culture and knowledge.
Through these stories, children learn about family history, folklore, and moral lessons, forming a basic understanding of the world, while adults use this time to talk about the day's work and life trivialities, and share their thoughts and feelings.
The use of candles is not limited to the interior of the home, but also plays an important role in some special occasions and festivals. For example, at weddings, birthdays, and religious ceremonies, the light of candles symbolizes blessings and sacredness.
In the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, people will light candles, admire the moon, pray for reunion and happiness, and Christmas and Easter in the West are also inseparable from the company of candles, they symbolize light and hope, and add a warm atmosphere to the festival.
In some solemn religious ceremonies, the use of candles is full of symbolic meaning. The candles in the church symbolize the divine light and guide the hearts of believers, and the lighting ceremony in Buddhism is also an important part of praying for blessings and disasters.
In addition to domestic and religious uses, candles also played an important role in commercial and social activities in ancient times. In the evening markets, shops and taverns, candles are the main means of lighting.
They not only provide a light source for merchants and customers, but also provide a place for social activities at night, where people drink tea and chat under candlelight, and have entertainment, making the night life more colorful.
Despite the weak light of candles and oil lamps, they brought endless warmth and light to the nightlife of the ancients. It is these faint rays of light that bring family members together and promote communication and exchange with each other.
Although the electric lights of modern society are brighter and more convenient, they also make us lose the unique sense of family intimacy and warm atmosphere.
Torches and campfires were common ways to illuminate the night in ancient times, especially during outdoor events and special occasions. Torches are usually made of sticks and flammable materials, and when used, one end of the stick is lit to provide a moving light source.
A bonfire is a large pile of firewood piled together to form a fixed large fire that shines brightly and illuminates a vast area.
Torches and campfires were widely used in outdoor activities in ancient times, such as during night marches, hunting or expeditions.
Not only does it light the way forward, but it also drives away wild beasts and provides security. Bonfires are indispensable in large gatherings such as festivals and festivals. Bonfires not only provide lighting but also add to the atmosphere of the event and make people feel warm and warm.
The laughter and laughter in the light of the fire condensed people's emotions and made the night lively and vibrant, and on some important festivals, ancient people would light a large number of bonfires to symbolize the light to dispel the darkness, but also to place the hope of a good harvest and happiness.
In the traditional Chinese festivals of "Lantern Festival" and "Mid-Autumn Festival", people will light bonfires in squares or open spaces in villages and perform dragon and lion dances to celebrate the arrival of the festival, and in the summer solstice festival celebrations in Europe, people will also light bonfires and hold carnival activities to symbolize the vigorous vitality of summer and the joy of harvest.
- Entertainment in the evening
The work and rest time of ancient people is usually "sunrise and sunset", which is not only in line with the rhythm of day and night in nature, but also closely related to the characteristics of agricultural production.
At sunrise, the farmers begin their day's work, using the daylight to plow, fertilize, and water the day. At sunset, as the sky gets darker, people end their day's work and return home to rest.
Most of the time the night is used for rest, especially after a long day's work, and it is especially important to sleep at night. Adequate rest will not only restore your strength, but also prepare you for the next day's work.
In some special cases, ancient people would also continue to work at night, and the busy farming season is a typical example, especially during the harvest period, when time is of the essence. To ensure that crops are harvested at the best time and avoid weather changes or pests and diseases, farmers often have to work overtime.
Torches or oil lamps were used overnight to harvest, threshh and store the crops, which were not as bright as electric lamps, but were an important lighting tool at the time, and the farmers toiled in the light of the fire to ensure that the fruits of the harvest were harvested and preserved in time.
Craftsmen, whose work also needs to extend into the night at certain times, are a prime example of a weaver who needs to constantly weave, dye, and sew to meet the needs of the market and the family.
Especially when there are many orders or when there are markets to be had, textile workers often work overtime at night to ensure that the products are completed on time. In order to work, the weavers light oil lamps and use the dim light to carry out meticulous manual work, but the light of the oil lamps is dim but enough to complete the heavy work on a quiet night.
The same is true for potters, whose work involves kneading, firing, and decorating pottery, which requires high temperatures and long baking, and sometimes at night to keep track of the temperature of the kiln and the firing process.
Oil lamps and torches are the main sources of light for their work at night, and the beating of the fire not only illuminates the work space, but also brings a little warmth.
In some cases, the work within the household also extends into the evenings, and during the winter off-season, women often use the evenings to do manual work such as weaving and embroidery, which not only increases the family's income, but also enriches the life of the night.
Under the light of oil lamps, the women chatted while working, sharing what they had seen and felt during the day, forming a unique family atmosphere.
Despite the lack of modern electrical and electronic devices, ancient people still had many colorful nighttime entertainment, and ancient societies lacked modern electronic entertainment equipment, and music and dance became important entertainment and social activities for people.
After nightfall, the courtyard or village clearing becomes a stage for joy, where people gather to sing and dance to the accord of simple musical instruments such as drums, harps, flutes, etc.
These activities not only enrich the evening life, but also play a role in regulating the mood and relieving stress, and music and dance provide an opportunity for relaxation and entertainment after a long day's work. Drums are played, flutes are played, and people join hands in a large circle and dance to the rhythm of the music.
The old people clapped and beat the beat, and the children ran and frolicked to the sound of laughter, this scene is full of warmth and joy, reflecting the love of life and the importance of unity of the ancient people.
Music and dance are not only entertainment, but also important carriers of cultural inheritance. Many of the traditional songs and dances are closely related to local customs, history and legends. Through these performances, the younger generation can learn about and inherit the wisdom and experience of their ancestors, maintaining cultural continuity and uniqueness.
Especially in some important festivals and celebrations, music and dance are an essential part, they symbolize people's pursuit of a better life and reverence for nature.
For the ancient aristocracy and upper classes, the role of music and dance was more complex and diverse. Banquets and gatherings are important events of the evening, and these occasions are not only moments of pleasure, but also opportunities to show cultural accomplishment and social status.
In the splendid hall, the nobles dressed in fine costumes, accompanied by the performance of the band, performed elegant dancing and music appreciation, the sound of the piano was clear, poetry was flying, and the nobles were intoxicated by music and poetry, exchanging thoughts and emotions.