 It was historically used in its meaning of "the light of the world," and is a symbol of hope, as in "light in the darkness".The traditional use of fanous as decorations associated with Ramadan is believed to have originated during the Fatimid Caliphate, primarily centered in Egypt, where tradition holds that the Caliph Al-Muizz Lideenillah was greeted by the Egyptian people holding lanterns to celebrate his arrival at Cairo during the holy month of Ramadan.Its use has now spread to almost all Muslim countries.