sola

Sola is a term with multiple meanings across language, botany, geography, and culture. It appears in Latin, where sola is the feminine form of solus, meaning “alone” or “only.” In theology, the phrase sola scriptura and related expressions—sola fide, sola gratia, Soli Deo gloria, and solus Christus—are used to summarize principles of Protestant thought that emphasize Scripture, faith, grace, God’s glory, and Christ’s alone as the basis of salvation.

In Italian and Spanish, sola functions as the feminine form of solo and is used to mean “alone” or “by oneself” when modifying a feminine noun. The word therefore carries widespread usage in Romance languages beyond its Latin roots.

Sola also refers to a plant-based material used in traditional crafts. The plant Aeschynomene aspera yields a light, fibrous pith that, when processed, dries to a pale, translucent material known as sola or shola. This material is woven and shaped into decorative flowers, lampshades, and other crafts, and is commonly associated with South Asian artisan traditions. Hats woven from sola pith, sometimes called sola tops, are another well-known application.

Geographically, Sola is a municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. Located in the Jæren district, it includes the town of Sola and Stavanger Airport, Sola, and is part of the Stavanger metropolitan area. The name also appears as a personal name and in other place names, reflecting its diverse linguistic and cultural roots.

Overall, sola is a versatile term whose meaning depends on context, spanning language, religion, botany, and geography.