darkness

Darkness is the perceived absence of light. Contrary to popular belief, pure or total darkness does not exist, because some small amount of light particles, in the form of radiation, permeate every corner of the universe. So, darkness is best described as "less amounts of light," rather than "the absence of light." True darkness is only theoretically possible in conditions of absolute zero. ^[1] Earlier in history, it was sometimes viewed as a substance in its own right, and appears in this form in some fantasy literature. Another name for darkness in this context is shadow.

Non-literal usage

Metaphor

As a metaphor, it is also the lack of knowledge (ignorance). It is also associated with mystery and with unknown things.

Mythology

In Western tradition, darkness is also associated with evil, evil entities (such as demons or Satan), and Hell or, especially in Egyptian mythology, the underworld. This concept can be seen personified in the character of Darkness played by actor Tim Curry in the 1985 fantasy movie Legend, where Darkness takes the form of a 15 foot high stereotype of Satan, complete with reddened skin, long horns and cloven hooves. The darkness was also an important part of gnostic religious systems; it was usually associated with evil. According to the gnostics, the world is the result of a fight between the darkness and the light.

In the Early Modern Period, the Middle Ages were named The Dark Ages in an attempt to make them look crude, thus making the speakers' own age seem glorious by comparison.

Fiction

In fiction, darkness can symbolize undesirable happenings in various forms, often in the context of evil as mentioned above for example: dark miko. Dark tourism is the travel to sites associated with death and suffering.

See also

• lygophilia - love of darkness
• nyctophobia - fear of darkness

Notes

1. ^ http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/dec97/875751731.Ph.r.html

References and further reading