The meaning of HOLI is a Hindu spring festival characterized by boisterous and usually ribald revelry including especially the throwing of colored water and powder. The festival of Holi caught the fascination of European traders and British colonial staff by the 17th century. Various old editions of the Oxford English Dictionary mention it, but with varying, phonetically derived spellings: Houly (1687), Hooly (1698), Huli (1789), Hohlee (1809), Hoolee (1825), and Holi in editions published after 1910. [16] Holi means something in Jainism, Prakrit, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, Tamil. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article. A. Reflection on the enduring legacy of Holi in Hindu mythology. Holi is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of life itself. Its roots in Hindu mythology remind us of the eternal struggle between good and evil and the importance of devotion, love, and community. B. The universal message of love, joy, and harmony that Holi conveys In fact, in Barsana as well as in neighboring Mathura and Vrindavan in Braj, Holi celebrations start with Basant Panchami, a Hindu festival marking the beginning of spring in the month of Magha, and last for 40 days, culminating in the final day of Holi. Through this period, Holi is celebrated with flowers, staves and shields, and colors. HOLI IN HINDU TRADITION: MYTHOLOGICAL ROOTS AND CELEBRATION . Holi, the festival of colours, is a vibrant and joyous celebration that holds a special place in the hearts of millions across India and the world. It marks the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and a time for forgiveness and new beginnings. In some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the word 'Holi' is 'burning'. HOLI definition: a Hindu spring festival , celebrated for two to five days, commemorating Krishna's | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Literally "Holi" is the Hindi word meaning "burning" in the Hindi language. How it became associated with "burning" is a myth. The reference is found in ancient Indian Mythology. The celebration of Holi is associated with the King, Hiranyakashipu. In the pre-Christian era, there lived a evil king named Hiranyakashipu in ancient India. Holi marks the end of winter and arrival of spring and is an invocation for a flourishing harvest season, falling around the time many people in India harvest wheat. Holi - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free. Forum discussions with the word(s) "Holi" in the title: <Happy> Eid, Diwali, Holi It originated from the Proto-Germanic word “hailaga,” which had a similar meaning. The Germanic root word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word “kailo,” meaning “whole” or “uninjured.” [Middle English (c. 1100-1500)] During the Middle English period, the word “holy” retained its meaning of “sacred” or Root Words | Definition, List & Examples. Published on September 13, 2023 by Kassiani Nikolopoulou. Revised on January 14, 2025. A root word is the most basic form of a word that cannot be further divided into meaningful segments. Root words are used to form new words by adding letters at the beginning (i.e., a prefix) and/or the end (i.e., a Holi definition: . See examples of HOLI used in a sentence. Submit new words and phrases to the dictionary. Benefit from an increased character limit in our Translator tool. Receive our weekly newsletter with the latest news, exclusive content, and offers. Be the first to enjoy new tools and features. It is easy and completely free! REGISTER Maybe later The world's leading online dictionary: English definitions, synonyms, word origins, example sentences, word games, and more. A trusted authority for 25+ years! word: Latin verbalize - to put into words; adverb - a word relating to a verb; proverb - a short saying that expresses a well-known truth. vers, vert: turn: Latin reverse - to turn around; introvert - being turned towards the inside; version - a variation of an original; controversy - a conversation in which positions are turned against each Holi is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated primarily in India, marking the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. Known as the Festival of Colors, it involves the playful throwing of colored powders and water among participants, symbolizing joy, love, and the renewal of life. This festival reflects key aspects of Hinduism, such as community bonding, spiritual purification, and A root word has no prefix or suffix — it's the most basic part of a word. The root word at the heart of "conformity," for example, is "form." [Century Dictionary, 1895] Holy has been used as an intensifying word from 1837; in expletives since 1880s (such as holy smoke, 1883, holy mackerel, 1876, holy cow, 1914, holy moly etc.), most of them euphemisms for holy Christ or holy Moses. Holy Ghost was in Old English (in Middle English often written as one word).
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