Fiat Lux

The motto "Fiat lux" on the Sather Gate^[wp] at the University of California, Berkeley^[wp]

Fiat Lux is a Latin phrase from the Latin Vulgate Bible^[wp] and is typically translated as "let there be light" when relating to Genesis 1:3^[wp] (Hebrew: "יְהִי אוֹר"). It comes from the third verse of the Book of Genesis^[wp] and the full phrase is "dixitque Deus fiat lux et facta est lux" ("And said God let there be light, and there was light"), from the Hebrew "וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי אוֹר; וַיְהִי אוֹר" (vayo'mer 'Elohim, yehi 'or vayehi 'or).

Since fiat lux would be literally translated as "let light be made" (fiat is from fieri, the passive form of the verb facere, "to make" or "to do"), an alternative Latinization of the original Greek and Hebrew, lux sit ("light - let it exist" or "let light exist") has been used occasionally, although there is debate as to its accuracy.

Genesis 1

The first verse of the Book of Genesis^[wp] in the King James Bible^[wp]:

^1[wp] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

^2[wp] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

^3[wp] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

^4[wp] And God saw the light, and it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

Use

Fiat lux is the motto^[wp] of and also appears on the seals of the several educational institutions as shown on the Sather Gate^[wp] at the University of California, Berkeley^[wp].

See also

• Fiat Money