A beacon in Minecraft is a structure that emits a beam of light into the sky. It can be used to mark locations, set spawn points, or give players special effects. To light a beacon, you will need to place it on a pyramid of iron blocks, with the pyramid being at least 3×3 at the base and 4 blocks high. Once the beacon is placed, you can activate it by placing a nether star in the top center block of the pyramid.
Beacons can be very useful tools in Minecraft. They can be used to mark important locations, such as your base or a valuable resource deposit. You can also set your spawn point at a beacon, so that you will respawn there if you die. Additionally, beacons can give players special effects, such as increased speed, strength, or regeneration. These effects can be very helpful in combat or when exploring dangerous areas.