The symbolism of candles …
Simple. Significant. Shining.
Candles awaken our emotions and senses any time we see them. Lighting a candle is full of symbolism. The meanings and purpose for lighting a candle are numerous. The simple lighting of a candle communicates so much without saying anything. That colourful singular solitary flame and aura of light warms us. Talking to us; communicating with our vary soul and beyond. Connecting us with ourselves, family, community, across the world and with those who have pasts.
How did the simple candle become so symbolic?
Since time began humans have embraced light over darkness. The world revolves around the sun; without it we wouldn’t exist. It provided warmth, safety, food, and impacted on humans’ social behaviour. Light plays a central role in our evolution, it started when we discovered how to create fire. A torch was a fire on a stick - this evolved and now we have candles – a miniature torch.
From a basic necessity, a flame evolved into a spiritual icon, a symbol within a range of religious practices and teachings. An example of this is the “festival of light” celebrated around the world. The festival signifies victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The lighting of lamps, candles, and fireworks, represent light and life energy.
Japanese lanterns
For Christians Christ is seen as the “light of the world”, the saviour. The candle illuminates believers; keeping them safe from the dark which represents badness in all its forms. The light also symbolises purity and the nourishment of life. Through the guidance of the light there is order, knowledge and understanding, enlightenment.
The word “funeral” in Latin means, “a torch like procession”. The Romans used to bury their dead at night and used torches to see where they processed. It was believed that the torches showed the spirit its way to their eternal home. They were honouring and celebrating the transition into the afterlife, which would burn on through an “eternal flame”. Hence the reason we now light candles in remembrance of those past. Like flowers candle colours symbolically communicate different feelings and thoughts when used for different purposes.
Candles are also synonymous with
fun, celebration, romance, and well-being …
Birthdays - The Ancient Greeks are the first known culture to celebrate birthdays with candles. Putting candles on a cake was a special way to pay tribute to the Greek moon Goddess, Artemis. They baked round cakes to symbolise the moon. Candles were used to represent the moonlight. When the candles were blown out, it was believed that the smoke carried their prayers to the Gods on Mt. Olympus. The Germans developed a similar cake ceremony were the smoke of the candles also warding off evil spirits.
Marriages – The candles warm glow creates an aura of romance. Communicating with out words love, passion, safety, warmth, purity, romance, goodness, while being calming and adding elegance and beauty to a wedding theme.
Well-being - When getting a massage, taking a bath, doing yoga or reflecting candles have a role to play. Symbolically they help to create the space within which we are entering. They communicate with our senses, our soul. Relaxing us, up-lifting us, centring us, bring peace, muting out other distractions, stopping time. We can disconnect, we move into another space, light dispels the darkness. A spiritual level of peacefulness.
Protest - Candles are also used in times of trouble, when groups are protesting around a cause or unsatisfied need. Large groups of people congregating at dusk with lit candles is a powerful sight. It signifies unity. When groups gather, candles burning, to morn because of the reckless acts of a few it signifies peace, commemoration. While suggestion hope and faith for a better future.
Also - Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, guidance, and truth are all words used in relation to the light of candles. It is even used to reflect the passage of life, like a clock. As the candle burns away, so does our life and is extinguished when we die. The candle represents light, truth, and knowledge. The extinguished flame represents loss and death
There is so much symbolism within this simple practical tool. It illuminates our senses and emotions both spiritually and fundamentally, communicating so much to so many in the simplest of ways.