Shadows cannot exist without light. A shadow is actually the result of light being blocked. When light hits an object that doesn’t let it pass through—like your hand, a tree, or a wall—it creates a darker area behind that object. That dark patch is what we call a shadow. It’s simply a space where the light doesn’t reach because something is in the way.
Without any light at all, there’s nothing to block, and therefore, no shadow can form. Imagine being in a completely dark room with no light source at all—not even a crack under the door or the glow of a screen. In that situation, no matter how many objects are around, you wouldn’t see any shadows because there’s no light to cast them.
Shadows depend on three things happening at once: there must be a source of light, an object to block that light, and a surface where the shadow can appear. If even one of those elements is missing, the shadow won’t form. For example, on a sunny day, your body blocks the sunlight and creates a sharp shadow on the ground.
But on a cloudy day, when the light is more scattered, shadows become softer or barely noticeable. So, while we often think of shadows as symbols of darkness, they actually can’t exist without light. In a way, every shadow is a quiet reminder that light is shining somewhere nearby.
