Dohlíí

Dohlíí is a term that appears in fictional worldbuilding and speculative fiction to denote a yearly communal lantern festival. There are no established real-world definitions or citations for the term, and it is treated here as a constructed concept used in creative contexts.

Etymology and usage in fiction

In the in-universe languages where dohlíí is described, the word is often composed from roots meaning light and gathering or unity. Variants and pronunciations differ across dialects or authorial reinterpretations. Because dohlíí originates in fictional settings, its exact linguistic lineage reflects the worldbuilding choices of different authors rather than a single canonical source.

Overview of the festival

Dohlíí centers on light as a symbol of community and memory. Communities gather in central plazas or shared spaces, lanterns are lit and carried in processions, and songs, dances, and narrative performances recount ancestral deeds or shared legends. Markets, communal meals, and playful games may accompany the ceremonies. The festival typically unfolds over a single evening or night but may extend across a full day in some portrayals.

Significance and rites

The event is meant to reinforce social bonds, mark seasonal or calendrical transitions, and welcome the coming period with collective hope. Common rites include a lantern lighting vigil, a public procession, and a closing ceremony that reaffirms communal ties. In some depictions, artisans showcase lantern craftsmanship or storytelling becomes the central focus of the night.

Variations and media appearances

Different fictional communities may emphasize craft, music, or oral tradition to varying degrees. Dohlíí has appeared in novels and role-playing games set in related worlds, often used to explore themes of identity, resilience, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.

See also: Lantern festival, Community festival, Night procession.