Diwali is the most important holiday in India. It's a New Year's celebration that is also known as the "Festival of Lights," and is celebrated by millions of people every year. The notion of light triumphing over dark is incredibly symbolic; so universal that it has inspired cultures around the world for centuries. But Diwali is more than a single flame; it fills homes, streets—and hearts!—with light. Diwali revellers are an incredibly diverse ethno-cultural group. Hindu, Sikh, Jain… every faith has its own Diwali legends, but the unifying thread is always a celebration of good triumphing over evil.
The flame at the centre of this coin captures the essence of the Festival, while its overall design echoes the Ashoka Chakra (wheel of the law) that appears on the national flag of India. The maple leaf and diya (clay lamp) illustrate the blending of multiple cultures, as Canada has become a home for Diwali celebrations.
Specifications
No. 147529
Mintage 10000
Composition 99.99% pure gold
Finish proof
Weight (g) 0.5
Diameter (mm) 11
Edge serrated
Certificate serialized
Face value 25 cents
Artist Sarindar Dhaliwal (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse