Brooke Martin
The Miracle Candle, also known as Alma's Candle, is a significant element in the 2021 film Encanto. The candle is always lit and contains the miracle that blessed the Madrigal family and their house with magic. The candle's magic is linked to the harmony within the family, and its flame flickers when the magic wavers. In the film, the candle's light begins to flicker, and cracks appear in their magical home, leading to tensions within the family. While the candle's magic is restored at one point, it ultimately disappears, and it is suggested that Mirabel, the only family member without a gift, may be the new keeper of the miracle.
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What You'll Learn
The candle's disappearance
The candle was originally the wedding candle of Pedro and Alma Madrigal. After Pedro's tragic death, his love for his family and his sacrifice imbued the candle with magic, creating a safe haven for the family and granting each member supernatural abilities—except for his granddaughter, Mirabel, who was seemingly overlooked.
As the film progresses, tensions rise within the family, causing the candle's flame to flicker and dim. Abuela Alma, the family matriarch, blames Mirabel for the candle's instability, believing that her lack of magical powers is the cause. However, it is later revealed that the true source of the problem is Abuela Alma herself, whose obsession with perfection and magic has strained the family's bonds.
During a heated argument between Abuela and Mirabel, the candle's flame disappears completely, and the magical house crumbles into ruins, fulfilling a prophecy seen by Mirabel's Uncle Bruno. This catastrophic event leaves the family without their home and gifts, causing Mirabel to run away, heartbroken by her failure to protect the miracle.
The disappearance of the candle serves as a turning point in the film, forcing the family to confront their issues and ultimately come together to rebuild their home and restore harmony. While the candle itself does not return, Mirabel, who embodies the true miracle, is able to unlock the magic once again through her leadership and the mending of familial relationships.
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Mirabel's lack of magical powers
In the 2021 Disney film Encanto, Mirabel Madrigal is the only member of the Madrigal family who does not receive magical powers. On the night that a young Mirabel was to be given a magical gift, her grandmother, Abuela Alma, shows her the candle that contains the miracle that blessed the family with magic. However, Mirabel's door vanishes, and she does not receive a gift like the rest of her family.
This causes a strain in Mirabel and Alma's relationship, with Alma shunning her granddaughter and even blaming her for the family's problems and the candle's issues. However, it is revealed that the real person behind the cracks in their family home is Alma herself, who puts too much pressure on the family to be perfect, ultimately straining their bonds and causing the magic to fade.
While Mirabel does not gain magical powers like the rest of her family, fan theories suggest that she is the embodiment of the candle and possesses the power of the miracle within it. Additionally, it is suggested that her power lies in her ability to bring people together and unite her family through love and support, emphasising that her value within her family and community is her true strength.
At the end of the film, the magic returns to the family, and Mirabel discovers that her uncle Bruno had seen a prophecy of her standing in front of their family's home in ruin. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her lack of magical powers, Mirabel plays a crucial role in saving the Encanto, as the magic now resides within her, giving her the power to either end or return it.
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The magic's return
The magic in Encanto stems from a miracle that occurred after Alma Madrigal's husband, Pedro, was murdered. The miracle was born from Pedro's sacrifice and Alma's love for her family, resulting in a connection between Alma's unconditional love and the magic. The candle, which was initially their wedding candle, became imbued with magic and served as a vessel for the miracle that blessed the Madrigal family and their house.
The candle's flame flickered and dimmed throughout the film, signifying that the magic was wavering. This was caused by the tension and disharmony within the family, as the magic required harmony to manifest itself. Abuela Alma's obsession with maintaining the magic and her pressure on the family to be perfect caused the magic to fade and the candle to eventually disappear.
However, at the end of the film, Mirabel, the only family member without a magical gift, was able to unlock the magic once again by leading the rebuilding of their home. The front door of the newly rebuilt house featured a glowing image of Mirabel at the center of her family, implying that she is the new keeper of the miracle. While the candle itself did not return, the magic returned to the family, and Mirabel was deemed special, with or without magical powers.
Some theories suggest that the magic may have transferred to Mirabel, as she is the only one with the power to end or return the Encanto. Others speculate that the magic may have moved on to a new inanimate object, such as a doorknob. The butterfly motif throughout the film connects Mirabel, Abuela, and the candle, further emphasizing the idea that Mirabel is destined to be the next keeper of the candle's magic and the family matriarch.
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The candle's significance
The Miracle Candle, also known as Alma's Candle, is a magical object in Disney's Encanto. The candle was originally the wedding candle of Pedro and Alma Madrigal. After Pedro's death, his love for his family and his sacrifice imbued the candle with magic, creating a mystical house for Alma and her children to live in. The candle's flame never went out, and its wax never melted. It blessed the Madrigal family and their house with magic, granting each member of the family superpowers.
The candle is significant because it is the source of the family's magic and protection. It is always lit, and its magic is connected to the family's love and emotional state. When the candle's flame flickers, it signifies that the magic is wavering, which happens when the family members are not getting along. The candle's magic is also connected to Mirabel's emotional state, and it reacts to her feelings.
The candle is important to Abuela Alma because it helped guide her and her people to safety after they fled their home. It represented hope and light during a difficult time. When the candle's flame is restored, the family's magical powers are also restored, bringing happiness and harmony to the Madrigals.
In the end, the candle's flame goes out after a heated argument between Mirabel and Abuela, causing the family to lose their home and gifts. The candle does not return, and it is believed that the magic now resides in Mirabel or another object, such as a doorknob.
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Theories about the candle's future
Another theory suggests that the magic may have transferred to an inanimate object, such as a doorknob, rather than a person. This theory is based on the idea that the candle held symbolic value for Abuela and that its power may have been transferred to another object of significance.
Some viewers have also speculated that the candle's magic may have been linked to the spirit of Pedro, Abuela's husband, who passed away heroically while defending the town. The timeline of events supports this theory, as Abuela is already advanced in years when Mirabel, her third grandchild, is born. The birth of Mirabel, who is deemed extraordinary even without magical powers, could signify the passing of the torch to a new generation.
While the movie does not explicitly confirm the fate of the candle's magic, these theories provide interesting interpretations of the events depicted in the film. The uncertainty surrounding the candle's future leaves room for speculation and adds depth to the story and characters of Encanto.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the candle does not come back at the end of Encanto.
The candle's flame disappears completely when Abuela and Mirabel have a tense argument, causing the house to crumble.
The magic in the candle is restored, but it now resides in Mirabel, who is deemed special with or without powers.
The candle symbolises the miracle that blessed the Madrigal family and their house with magic. It was originally the wedding candle of Pedro and Alma Madrigal.
