A popular subject of medieval miracle plays, its story originates from Matthew's Gospels (25:1-13). Ten virgins were waiting for their bridegrooms but with nightfall only the wise five of them put oil in her lamp. They fell asleep in the long hours of waiting and when the bridegrooms finally arrived at midnight, the five foolish ones could not find them in the dark. Of course, the story is a symbolic reference to waiting for the Lord.