Hac luce
“By this light.”
Latin motto
What does “Hac luce” mean?
Hac luce translates as “By this light.”
Two words point to a guiding light, whether faith, reason or learning, by which one sees and acts. The brevity leaves room for personal meaning.
“Hac luce” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Hac | this | feminine singular ablative of hic, haec, hoc, “this”; agrees with luce |
| luce | by the light | ablative singular of lux, “light”; ablative of means or instrument, so “by” or “with” this light |
How to pronounce “Hac luce”
The difference is in luce: Classical has a hard k sound, Ecclesiastical has ch as in “church”. In both, stress falls on the first syllable of each word. Luce is two syllables, so the first is stressed.
The story behind it
Word for word the phrase says “by this light”. It has no verb, which is typical of Latin mottoes: the grammar is left open so that the reader supplies the action, as in “we see by this light” or “we are guided by this light”.
This is a short Latin motto used by an institution, not a quotation from a known author or a classical text. The data we have does not name the institution or give a date, so the exact origin of the phrase is uncertain.
The light in such a motto is usually figurative. Light has long stood for knowledge, truth and guidance in Western writing, so a motto like this can be read as pointing to learning, reason or faith. Which one is meant depends on whoever adopts it.
How to use “Hac luce”
Fits a personal motto, an engraving on a lamp or reading light, a lighthouse model, or a dedication in a book. Because it is so short and open, it suits anyone who wants to name their own guiding light without spelling it out.
- Latin
- Hac luce
- English
- By this light.
- Source
- Latin motto
- Era
- Modern Latin
- Theme
- Hope
Common mistakes
- Hac is not a word for “here”. In this phrase it is the feminine ablative of hic, “this”, agreeing with luce. Do not split or swap the two words.
- The motto is not a classical quotation, so do not credit it to Cicero, Virgil or any ancient author.
- Changing luce to lux (nominative) makes “this light” the subject, not “by this light”, and hac would then also need to change to haec. Keep both words in the ablative.
- Do not read it as a command or a wish. With no verb, it is a short phrase of means, “by this light”, not “let there be light”.
Questions about “Hac luce”
What does “Hac luce” mean literally?
“By this light” or “with this light”. Hac means “this” and luce is the ablative of lux, “light”, showing the means by which something is done.
Who said “Hac luce”?
No known author is behind it. It is a short Latin motto used by an institution, so it should not be attributed to a classical writer.
How do you pronounce “Hac luce”?
Classical: HAHK LOO-keh. Church Latin: AHK LOO-cheh. Stress the first syllable of each word.
Is “Hac luce” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is correct: hac and luce are both feminine singular ablative. As it has no verb it reads as a motto, so be sure “by this light” is the meaning you want.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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