Behind the Product: Lanterns
Today, I wanted to talk to you about the vision and history behind some of our most iconic Days of Eid products, our Moroccan lanterns.
Designing with Intention
Light itself is a deeply symbolic concept in Islam. Light is deeply connected to spirituality as a beacon to all those seeking God.
In Surah Al-Nur (literally, the chapter of Light), Allah SWT says:
"Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche with in which is a lamp, The lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star, Lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, Neither of the east nor of the west, Whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things.”
[24:35]
Which brings us to the month of Ramadan, in which many of us become nocturnal to accommodate for our evening iftars, late-night worship and pre-sunrise suhoors. Ramadan lanterns come in a variety of shapes and size but it is believed that their origin is rooted in the Egyptian “fanoos.” The story goes that the Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz was greeted by Egyptian subjects holding lanterns to celebrate his arrival at Cairo during the holy month of Ramadan.
Today, lanterns have turned into a symbol of Ramadan. At Days of Eid, we wanted to provide lantern options that are made for Muslims, by Muslims with authentic details. Our Moroccan Floor Lanterns contain the geometric designs of Islamic art. More specifically: the intricate tilework of Morocco’s historic mosques, palaces, and homes.
Photo by Isak Gundrosen on Unsplash
These places contain a rich history that is a part of who we are today as an Ummah. It is important to us that our Moroccan Floor Lanterns connect us to that past authentically, unlike the generic copies you might find that are made without an understanding of the significance.
Development
We set out to make sure we could set our Moroccan Floor Lanterns apart from other generic versions, making sure the geometric pattern was as intricate as possible. In order to accomplish this, all our Moroccan lanterns, including our new Mini Moroccan Lanterns and our Moroccan Lantern String Lights, have to be cut-out by hand and hand-painted. Our price point reflects the hard work and detail that goes into this process. We then moved on to making sure that if they were a higher price point, then they were as versatile as possible. The jewel-toned panels that our Moroccan Floor Lanterns come with are removable. So whether you want to go with a minimal gold look or a colorful purple and green and blue one, you have the option to change it up.
Our goal has always been to create a high end Islamic atmosphere and with child safe products, so the panels of our Moroccan Floor Lanterns are made of acrylic instead of glass. That way you don’t run the risk of the glass cracking/breaking if your little ones knock them over. We also treated them so that they are safe to use outdoors and will not rust.
A Tip: These lanterns can’t be used with real candles. We recommend these candles from Target instead. They’re safe and pop in easily!
Always Improving
After the success of our original Moroccan Floor Lantern set, we found that people really wanted lanterns that would help them elevate their dining experiences, making gatherings extra special and creating that warm and cozy Iftar atmosphere. When COVID-19 hit, this became even more important, with small intimate gatherings becoming the only safe way to spend time with loved ones. Not being able to meet with family as often as we usually do means every family dinner is special, and we found that our community was looking for a way to have their tablescapes reflect that.
The Mini Moroccan Lanterns were specifically created to address this need. Our solution was making something that could easily fit on a table during both iftar/suhoor meal times or general dining, year-round. We went as small as our production would allow without compromising the original intricate pattern we used in our Moroccan Floor Lanterns. Their size allows them to be easily incorporated into other settings like work areas, and coffee tables, uplifting us as we go about our day to day.
Days of Eid products are never just products. They speak to a larger vision for the Muslim community. Every lantern, every Ramadan banner, every tray is a step closer to reclaiming our Muslim tradition and creating an atmosphere at home that is high-quality, authentic, and spiritually grounding.
Check out @daysofeid on IG for more behind the scenes and all things Muslim home!