Illumination, the dictionary tells us, means "to bring light, to endow with brilliance, to adorn with burnished gold and brilliant colors as in medieval books." The gilded and illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance are woven into the earliest history of the book. These great volumes, made entirely by hand and requiring the labors of many skilled artisans in every detail of their creation were lavish works of art. For their fortunate owners they were prized objects, symbols of great wealth, power and status. These books, emblems of preciousness, were embellished with rare colors, silver and gold. Gold—as dots, leaves, letters and polished until it shone like a mirror, reflected back the light of candles and torches in dim Medieval rooms. Sparks of light danced and flashed with life as books were opened. Burnished gold defined illumination. Together with their glowing jewel-like miniatures these golden pages became small windows into another world—an expression of faith and devotion.