Dispersion Of White Light Analysis

To understand the theological perspective of this symbol, it is important to understand what the dispersion of white light through a prism is. In simplest terms, the dispersion of white light is the process white light passes through a transparent triangular prism. Once the white light strikes the surface of the prism, it is refracted, which in scientific terms means that the light is deviated from its original path. At the point of refraction, the white light is separated into the 7 different color components that make up white light: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. This separation, also know as the dispersion of light, occurs because the angle of refraction for each color is different when passing through the transparent
medium. The difference in each color’s angle of refraction is based on the wavelength of each color.
With this in mind, each element in the process of the dispersion of light can be symbolized by the sacrament of reconciliation.
The three main elements, the white light, the prism, and the visible light spectrum created correspond with the ritual/meaning of penance in its purest form. The first part of reconciliation would be the recognition of sin by the individual. For penance to take place, the individual must be willing to acknowledge that he/she committed some type of sin. The severity or details of sin are not particularly important; rather it is the principle that the individual has done something that transgresses the divine law the lord has set forth. In the context of the three elements of the dispersion of light, the white light would represent sin. The idea that the color white represents sin can be conflicting in the sense that the Catholic religion idolizes the color white as being pure and innocent. Even though the color white may not represent sin in traditional understanding in the church, the symbolization of white light and sin can be interpreted as the realization of sin and the need for forgiveness. The point at which an individual recognizes sin, is the same instance that he/she has begun to seek forgiveness for that sin. What this means is that the individual is seeking penance for the reestablishment, or rebirth, of salvation and healing for that sin. The sin itself is not pure, but the seeking of forgiveness through penance is pure, and that is what
makes white light an ideal symbol for the beginning process of confession.
Moving forward, the second element in the process of the dispersion of light is the transparent prism. Simply put, the prism acts as a medium to transform the white light into its seven components of varying color. Without the prism, the light is unable to be refracted. This same principle is reflected in the ritual of reconciliation. For an individuals penance to be heard, he/she must go to some form of confessional where he/she confesses the sin(s) to the priest. In this scenario, the priest works as a medium for God to facilitate the act of forgiveness. The Catholic faith recognizes the necessity for priest to be intermediaries for sinners and God. In the case of reconciliation, the church set the standard that for penance to be accepted, it must be in front of a priest. Other religions are able to ask God for forgiveness directly, with or without a clergyman present. This means without the process of confession in front of a priest, the Catholic Church does not recognize that penance actually took place. Just like the prism is necessary to facilitate the change of white, the process of going to confession with a priest or any clergymen is essential to the transformation of sin to forgiveness.
Furthermore, the third element of the dispersion of light is the 7-color light spectrum that is produced.
The phenomenon that is seen by the visible light after refracting through the prism provides a clear picture of transformation. Changing from the simple white light to the visually pleasing rainbow. The same can be said about the effect of reconciliation. By comparison, the 7 colors that are visualized all define a concrete meaning in what penance does for an individual, as well as what he/she does with the newly found forgiveness. Starting from the top of the 7-color spectrum, red signifies the most superficial meaning. Red represents the happiness/sense of relief penance creates for the individual. Having the ability to get the burden of one’s sin off his/her shoulders take an emotional weight off of that individual. This is the most basic representation because the only purpose it serves is to make the individual feel better, without providing any justification for the glorification of God. The next color, yellow, represents the prayer(s) the priest allocates to a person once he/she leaves the confessional. In most cases, individuals assume that the severity of sin would reflect how many Hail Mary’s or Lords pray he/she must say. In fact, the true representation of these prayers is not punishment for the sin. The purpose is to bring God’s presence back into the individual’s life after committing sin. Such emphasis is often put on this part of reconciliation, but it is
just an connection being made to alleviate the sin. The color orange follows and gets a little deeper in meaning. Orange represents the reflection/evaluation of penance. Once penance has been received and the individual has said his/her prayers, reflection is important to evaluate how the individual reached