AtDtDA (5): Candlebrow

[robinlandseadel at comcast.net]

              Mark Kohut:
              My thought when I first read Candlebrow was it 
              was a "low-brow' play on highbrow....

              Ya Sam:
              'Dr. Vormance was on sabbatical from Candlebrow 
              University, where he ordinarily headed the 
              Department of Mineralogy.' (130)

              Why is the university called 'Candlebrow'. Maybe 
              it's a reference to a skull candle with all the ensuing 
              symbolism?

I believe it's in reference to Lucina/Santa Lucia, a light bearing Goddess
originally from Rome, transplanted to Sweden:

              Juno Lucina, Mother of Lights, was a goddess of childbirth 
              whose festival was celebrated with torchlights and bonfires 
              in Rome in early December.
              As midwife of the miraculous Sun Child born at Winter 
              Solstice, it was said she brought children to light. Later 
              converted to Christianity as St. Lucy, she found a home in 
              Sweden, where Yuletide celebrations today still include 
              the procession of the Lussibruden (Lucy Bride), led by
              a young girl wearing a crown of candles.

http://www.crystalforest3.homestead.com/Yulelore.html

So, on one level, "Candlebrow" references a midwife to the light.


http://tinyurl.com/3ex559

http://tinyurl.com/2qzdzn

http://tinyurl.com/27pcca