humans glow: auras, bioluminescence, and the emanating light
TL;DR
Bioluminescence: This article explores the enchanting phenomenon of bioluminescence, where living organisms emit subtle yet stunning light that has inspired myths and legends throughout history.
Human Glow: Humans, too, emit light known as biophotons, creating a faint glow associated with excitement, happiness, and pleasure. The concept of human glow is also intertwined with skincare beauty routines.
Spiritual Origins: The discussion delves into the spiritual side of glowing, touching on subjects like auras and how they reflect one’s character and inner state. The belief in auras spans various cultures and religions.
Practical Applications: Beyond its mystical allure, bioluminescence serves essential functions in nature, from camouflage to mating communication. The study of bioluminescence also leads to technological advancements in fields like medicine and environmental monitoring.
I watched my friend as she performed upon the Broadway stage. Her scene took place in complete darkness, all lights extinguished for dramatic effect. The interesting thing was that I could still see her face. It seemed as if her face was glowing and emitting low beams of light. The effect was lovely but it made me ponder — was I imagining things? How could she still be seen without external lighting?
It turns out that our world is filled with natural wonders. One of the most beautiful natural phenomena known to mankind is bioluminescence, the biochemical emission of light by living organisms. The glowing light produced by bioluminescence is subtle yet gorgeous and spellbinding — so much that there are various legends and myths surrounding this natural phenomenon.
Will-o-the-Wisps are small creatures in Western folklore that lure travelers with their unearthly glow into swamps and marshes, never to be seen again. There is the Mothmon, an infamous cryptid, reportedly with glowing red eyes and found in the forests of Virginia. Mermaids, too, purportedly glow with an ethereal light, their tails gleaming with iridescent, glowing scales. There are endless stories of ill-fated sailors who caught sight of the mermaid’s glow, were drawn in by the mermaid’s siren song, and disappeared.
Organisms with the ability to produce bioluminescence can be found around the world in a multitude of different environments. From the deep sea to forests, such creatures create a beautiful display of light that is an intrinsic part of their survival.
Humans also emit light. Our light is on the lower end of the electromagnetic spectrum and is hard to see. The light we emit is a result of biophotons from free radicals that are produced from our metabolism. This light can be interpreted as a glow. Human glow is also caused by excitement, happiness, and pleasure, as revealed in this review. Though the human glow is not bioluminescence as such, it is just as eye-catching when noticed.
The ability to glow is so admired by people that we have established beauty routines to create an artificial glow that makes skin appear reflective. This is commonly referred to as “glass skin”. A whole corner of the beauty industry is dedicated to formulating products that emulate the look of glass skin. There are soaps, cleansers, lotions, toners, and serums used in skincare routines that are sometimes so elaborate it takes over twenty steps to recreate the look that glows: skin that appears flawless, mysterious, unearthly and, most of all, luminescent.
Not only is there scientific evidence and human-made techniques for human glowing, but there are also spiritual origins. For instance, another form of light that surrounds people are auras. The belief in auras comes from areas where civilization has existed for thousands of years. Legends and myths are plentiful regarding auras and its origins.
The aura is subtle and is believed to emanate from one’s beingness, reflecting outwardly to reveal their character and inner state. It is perceived through color ranges that represent various states of spiritual being. Red represents passion, energy, and vitality. Orange symbolizes creativity and enthusiasm. Yellow portrays confidence and intellect. Each color of the spectrum represents various human characteristics. The first time I had my aura read, I was told it was green and that I was destined to become a health practitioner and care for others. This eventually came true, as I became a nurse.
Glowing and emanating light are a common topic found in most religions. Angels, messiahs, and gods emit a heavenly glow that signal their lofty position in the spiritual realms. Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism all have concepts of the existence of auras. Humans look towards the light of the spiritually–evolved for guidance, and answers to their prayers for the relief of suffering and gifts of abundance and health. Basking in the glow of an enlightened spiritual guide provides hope and a sense of security when navigating troublesome times.
Our world also has practical uses for bioluminescence and this is prevalent in the animal kingdom. Living organisms utilize bioluminescence as camouflage. They emit light that matches their environment to blend in and avoid predators. Bioluminescence is also a form of communication to attract mates during mating season. It is found that adult male fireflies have certain patterns of flashes that inform nearby females what species of firefly they are and their interest in mating. These functions result in a healthy population of their species, which is important in preserving ecosystems of the natural world.
As for humankind, bioluminescence research has led to new bioimaging techniques, monitoring of the natural environment, and application of research findings to advance medicine. A bioimaging technique utilized to identify cancer growth in tumors is the administering of luciferin cells. The luciferin binds to the luciferase genes of cancer cells, resulting in the chemical reaction of bioluminescence. Such techniques are particularly useful for monitoring and assessment as they are non-invasive.
I will always remember the feeling of wonder I had watching my friend glow on the stage. This beautiful, commanding glow she emanated was definitely a sign to me that she was on the trajectory of her success, and glowing from incandescent happiness. The rigorous hard work from performing on one of the world’s brightest stages was eminent in the way she radiated glowing, balanced health. It was a reaffirmation of the world’s beautiful and magical qualities that make life a journey of wonder and possibility.