Farolitos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Colorful paper lanterns, often used in celebrations or decorations, that can be illuminated by candles or lights
2. Decorative objects typically made from thin paper or plastic, resembling little lanterns, seen in festive settings
3. Small, traditional lanterns that serve both ornamental and functional purposes during various cultural events

Etymology: "Farolitos" is the plural of "farolito," a diminutive of Spanish "farol," meaning lantern or street lamp. The Spanish word "farol" itself comes from the Italian "faro" (lighthouse), a name that traces back to the Pharos of Alexandria, the ancient lighthouse on an island of that name, a link that runs from a Greek place-name to a small paper lamp on a New Mexico rooftop. In the American Southwest, the word is most closely tied to Christmas Eve. Luminarias, as they are often called in New Mexico, are small paper bags weighted with sand and lit with a candle inside, lined up along walkways, walls, and roofs. "Farolito" is the form of the name used more often in parts of Texas and in the wider Spanish-speaking tradition for the same kind of lantern.