‘May He/She Rest in Lights’: Reflection on Wishes in Funerary Folklore

‘May He/She Rest in Lights’

Abstract

In Turkish-Islamic culture, it is customary to convey blessings to the deceased, reflecting a broader spiritual framework that links death, memory, and the afterlife. One frequently employed expression is the phrase: “May he/she rest in light.” This notion, which draws on theological imagery rooted in Surah An-Nur of the Qur'an, is manifested symbolically in funerary culture through the motif of the oil lamp. During the Ottoman period, Nur—understood as divine light—was commonly represented on gravestones in the form of oil lamps. In the Republican era, this symbolic representation appears to have undergone a transformation, with electric lighting gradually supplanting earlier visual forms. This study also situates contemporary grave-lighting practices within this historical trajectory, analyzing modern examples such as solar-powered lamps and illuminated grave markers. These practices not only reflect technological adaptation but also the enduring resonance of light as a metaphor for divine presence and remembrance. From a broader historical and mythological perspective, the significance of light predates Islam in Turkish belief systems. In early Turkic cosmologies, light was closely associated with Tengri, the Sky God, and served as a symbol of divinity, transcendence, and cosmic order. Within this context, the lighting practices carried out by family elders can be interpreted as acts of care and devotion, intended to ensure that the deceased would rest in light—both metaphorically and literally. Drawing on ethnographic observations and visual documentation collected by Ali Işık in cemeteries in Konya, this article examines how such traditions continue to embody deep-rooted cultural meanings. Additionally, the study investigates the layered semantic and symbolic dimensions of the term Nur as it appears in grave inscriptions. The term is analyzed in relation to its associations with divine illumination, Qur’anic enlightenment, and the light of divine mercy and forgiveness. These meanings underscore the complex role that Nur plays in Turkish-Islamic commemorative culture. The symbolic representation of the deceased as either resting in light or ascending into a radiant afterlife is also addressed, revealing how metaphysical beliefs are visually and ritually articulated. In conclusion, the article reflects on the cultural and emotional significance of these practices for mourning families, and highlights their continued relevance in shaping contemporary commemorative rituals and understandings of the afterlife in Turkish society.