What is Global Wave of Light?

The Global Wave of Light is an annual event held on October 15th as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week. It serves as a global remembrance for babies who have tragically died during pregnancy or shortly after birth. At 7:00 PM local time, people around the world are invited to light a candle for an hour to honor and remember the lives of these babies. This act of lighting candles creates a continuous “wave of light” across time zones, symbolizing unity and collective grief, while also providing a moment for reflection and solidarity for bereaved families.

The Global Wave of Light offers parents, families, and friends the opportunity to come together in memory of their lost children and to raise awareness about the need for better support for those affected by pregnancy and infant loss.

History and Origin

The Global Wave of Light began as a part of Baby Loss Awareness Week, which was first established in 2003 by a coalition of UK charities. The event was created to give families a moment of remembrance, connection, and healing. Over the years, it has become a cornerstone of Baby Loss Awareness Week, growing into a global tradition that reaches across continents. People from all over the world participate, lighting candles in honor of their lost babies, creating a sense of shared experience and global support.

The event has also raised awareness about the need for better resources, research, and healthcare improvements to support families who have experienced the devastation of pregnancy or infant loss.

Who Celebrates Global Wave of Light?

• Bereaved Parents and Families: Families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss participate by lighting candles in memory of their babies.
• Baby Loss Support Groups and Charities: Organizations dedicated to supporting families affected by pregnancy and infant loss encourage participation and provide a space for families to connect.
• Healthcare Providers: Healthcare professionals, including midwives and counselors, take part in remembrance events to show support for the families they serve.
• Friends and Loved Ones: Friends and extended family light candles in solidarity with those grieving, offering support and remembrance.
• The General Public: Many people, even those not personally affected, join the event to show empathy and raise awareness about baby loss and the need for better support systems.

Slogans and Themes

The Global Wave of Light emphasizes themes of remembrance, unity, and hope. Slogans like “Together, We Remember” and “Lighting the Way for Lost Lives” encapsulate the idea of shared grief and collective support. The event also focuses on breaking the silence around baby loss, creating a space where families can openly remember and honor their babies. It promotes both individual reflection and global connection through this symbolic wave of light.

Colors, Symbols, and Patterns

• Colors:
  • Pink and blue, representing the loss of babies, often used to symbolize awareness of baby loss during events and campaigns.
  • White, representing purity, remembrance, and the innocence of the babies being honored.
  • Candlelight, symbolizing warmth, remembrance, and connection during the Global Wave of Light.
• Symbols:
  • Candle, the primary symbol of the event, representing light, memory, and the lives lost.
  • Butterfly, often associated with baby loss awareness, symbolizing transformation, hope, and remembrance.
  • Angel wings, reflecting the idea of the lost babies as angels who continue to live on in their parents’ hearts.
• Patterns:
  • Wave motifs, symbolizing the idea of a continuous wave of light traveling across the world as different time zones light their candles.
  • Heart patterns, reflecting the love, grief, and remembrance that parents and families feel for their lost babies.
  • Starry patterns, symbolizing babies as “little stars” that remain in their families’ memories and hearts.

Most Used Hashtags

• #WaveOfLight
• #GlobalWaveOfLight
• #RememberingOurBabies
• #BabyLossAwarenessWeek
• #PregnancyLoss
• #StillbirthAwareness
• #InfantLoss

How to Participate in the Global Wave of Light

• Light a Candle: At 7:00 PM local time on October 15th, light a candle in honor of your baby or in solidarity with others who have experienced baby loss. Leave the candle burning for one hour, creating part of the global wave.
• Join a Community Remembrance Event: Many communities host vigils, remembrance ceremonies, or gatherings where families can come together to light candles and support one another.
• Share Your Moment on Social Media: Take a photo of your candle and share it on social media with the hashtag #WaveOfLight, joining others in a virtual remembrance across the globe.
• Create a Memory Space: In addition to lighting a candle, create a space in your home where you can place keepsakes, photos, or personal items in memory of your baby.
• Advocate for Baby Loss Awareness: Use the event as an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of baby loss and advocate for better support, research, and healthcare resources for families affected by this tragedy.

The Global Wave of Light provides a powerful moment of connection and remembrance, honoring the lives of babies lost too soon and offering comfort to grieving families around the world. By lighting candles together, we create a chain of love and memory that stretches across continents, ensuring that these babies are never forgotten.