Jessie Taylor
Candles play a crucial role in the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities. They are placed on altars or ofrendas to symbolize the element of fire and represent light and remembrance. The candles are believed to help guide the spirits of the departed back to the altar, where they can enjoy the food, drinks, and mementos left in their honour. The 7-day candle, housed in a tall glass jar, is a staple for the holiday, burning continuously throughout the celebration. The colour of the candles also holds significance, with white representing purity and purple signifying sorrow and mourning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To light the path to guide spirits home |
| Symbolism | Light and remembrance |
| Placement | On altars or "ofrendas" |
| Arrangement | In rows, sometimes in the form of a cross |
| Color | White (purity), purple (sorrow and mourning) |
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What You'll Learn
Candles are used to represent the element of fire on altars
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is a colourful tradition celebrated with family and friends to honour the dead. It is believed that the souls of the deceased return on the Day of the Dead to their relatives, to celebrate a happy reunion. The holiday originates from Indigenous people such as the Olmecs, Toltecs, Mixtecs, Zapotecs, Mayans and Aztecs.
Candles are an important part of the Day of the Dead celebrations. They are used to represent the element of fire on altars or "ofrendas". The altars are prepared to honour loved ones who have passed away as they make their journey to Earth. The candles are commonly placed in a row leading up to the altar. Each candle's flame is believed to help guide the souls of the departed back to the altar, where they can enjoy the food, drinks, and mementos left in their honour. The belief is that the souls are in the underworld in darkness and they use the light from the candles to travel to the living world. The smoke from the candles is also believed to transmit praise and prayers and is supposed to purify the area around the altar and lead the souls of the deceased to the celebration.
The seven-day candle is one of the most iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos. It is typically housed in a tall glass jar and symbolizes light and remembrance. The candle burns continuously as a beacon for loved ones to find their way back to the world of the living. Families often choose candles in colours and designs that hold special meaning. For example, white candles represent purity, while purple signifies sorrow and mourning.
In addition to candles, altars may also include flowers, incense, sugar skulls, and photographs of the deceased. The cempasúchil, or marigold, is a flower commonly used on Day of the Dead altars due to its bright colour and strong fragrance, which are believed to attract spirits. Copal incense is also burned near Day of the Dead altars as another olfactory element to draw in the spirits. Sugar skulls, or "calaveras", are commonly placed on altars to represent death and rebirth. They are an important symbol in Indigenous cultures as a physical representation of the underworld. Photographs of the deceased are also vital additions to altars, as they help encourage the souls to return by letting them know the altar is dedicated to them.
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They light the path to guide spirits home
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is a colourful tradition observed by families and communities to honour their ancestors and celebrate their lives. During the festivities, candles are placed on altars or "ofrendas" to light the path and guide the spirits of the departed back to the living world.
Candles are an essential part of the Day of the Dead celebrations, and they play a crucial role in guiding the spirits of the deceased back to their earthly homes. The warm glow of the candles is believed to attract the souls and illuminate their way, making it possible for them to visit their loved ones and spend time with their families. The candles are often arranged in rows leading up to the ofrenda, symbolising light and remembrance.
The 7-day candle is a traditional and iconic symbol of the Day of the Dead. These candles are typically housed in tall glass jars and burn continuously throughout the celebration. Families carefully choose the colours and designs of the candles, with each colour holding a special meaning. For example, white candles represent purity, while purple signifies sorrow and mourning.
The lighting of candles during the Day of the Dead is deeply rooted in Indigenous beliefs and traditions. The candles represent the element of fire, which is believed to purify the environment and transmit praise and prayers to the spirits. The warm light of the candles is thought to guide the souls in the underworld, helping them navigate their way back to the land of the living.
The ofrendas are intentionally made bright and colourful, with each item placed on the altar holding a specific significance. The candles, along with other elements such as flowers, incense, and food, create a welcoming and celebratory atmosphere that invites the spirits to join in the festivities and honour their memory. The combination of light, scent, and offerings creates a multisensory experience that is believed to guide the spirits and make their journey back home easier.
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Candles are often left in the form of a cross
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is a colourful tradition observed with family and friends to honour the dead. It is believed that the souls of the deceased return on the Day of the Dead to their relatives, to celebrate a happy reunion. Candles are an important part of the Day of the Dead celebrations, as they are placed on altars or "ofrendas" to honour and guide the spirits of the departed. Candles are often left in the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so the spirits can find their way.
The 7-day candle, typically housed in a tall glass jar, is a staple for the holiday and symbolizes light and remembrance. It burns continuously as a beacon for loved ones to find their way back to the world of the living. The candle's flame is believed to help guide the souls of the departed back to the ofrenda, where they can enjoy the food, drinks, and mementos left in their honour. Families often choose candles in colours and designs that hold special meaning. For instance, white candles represent purity, while purple signifies sorrow and mourning.
The candles are commonly placed in a row leading up to the ofrenda, symbolising the element of fire. The belief is that the souls in the underworld are in darkness and they use the light from the candles to travel to the living world. The smoke from incense candles is also believed to purify the area around the altar and lead the souls of the deceased to the celebration. The bright orange cempasúchil flowers, also known as marigolds, are another important element of the Day of the Dead. Their vibrant colour and strong fragrance are believed to attract spirits to the altar.
The ofrendas are meant to be bright and colourful so that the souls of lost loved ones can find their way. Each item on an ofrenda is placed with a specific reason that correlates to Indigenous cultures. For example, a glass of water is usually placed on the altar to quench the thirst of the spirits as they make their long journey from the afterlife. Plates of food are also placed on the ofrenda to feed the hungry souls, often consisting of the favourite dishes of the deceased.
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They burn continuously as a beacon for loved ones
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is a time when families honour their deceased loved ones, who are believed to return to the realm of the living to celebrate with their families.
Candles are an important part of the Day of the Dead festivities. They are placed on altars or "ofrendas" to represent the element of fire and to light the way for the spirits of the departed. The candle's flame is believed to guide the souls of the deceased back to the altar, where they can enjoy the food, drinks, and mementos left in their honour. The candles are typically arranged in a row leading up to the altar.
The 7-day candle is one of the most iconic symbols of the Day of the Dead. These candles are housed in tall glass jars and are meant to burn continuously for the duration of the celebration. The warm, unwavering glow of the 7-day candle serves as a beacon, inviting loved ones back from the underworld and illuminating their path.
The continuous burn of the 7-day candle is a powerful symbol of enduring love and remembrance. By burning steadily, the candle provides a constant source of light and warmth, guiding the spirits and offering them a sense of comfort and familiarity. The unwavering flame also represents the enduring memory and presence of the departed loved ones, ensuring they are never forgotten.
The colour of the candles holds special significance. White candles, for example, represent purity, while purple signifies sorrow and mourning. Families often choose candle colours that hold personal meaning for them, creating a unique and intimate connection with their loved ones.
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Families choose candle colours with special meanings
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is a colourful tradition celebrated with family and friends to honour the dead. The souls of the deceased are believed to return on the Day of the Dead to their relatives, to celebrate a happy reunion.
Candles are an important part of the Day of the Dead celebrations. They represent the element of fire on the ofrendas or altars and are placed to help light the path for the souls of the departed to follow. Families often choose candles in colours and designs that hold special meanings. White candles, for example, represent purity, while purple signifies sorrow and mourning. The candle's flame is believed to guide the souls of the departed back to the altar, where they can enjoy the food, drinks, and mementos left in their honour.
The 7-day candle is one of the most iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos. These candles are typically housed in tall glass jars and are meant to burn continuously throughout the celebration, illuminating the way for spirits to visit their families. The candle's light symbolises remembrance and is believed to help guide the souls back to the land of the living.
In addition to the traditional 7-day candles, some people choose to use handcrafted candles with unique designs and scents. These candles can add a festive touch to the altar and symbolise the joy and celebration of life that Día de los Muertos embodies. For example, a candle with a Lady Banks rose and cedarwood scent can symbolise remembrance and beauty, while a cherry and oak blend can evoke shared family meals. The handmade nature and recycled origins of these candles also echo the themes of sustainability and rebirth present in the Day of the Dead celebrations.
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Frequently asked questions
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday mainly celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It takes place on November 1 and 2. It is a colourful tradition celebrated with family and friends to honour the dead.
Candles are placed on altars or "ofrendas" to honour and guide the spirits of the departed. They represent the element of fire and are believed to light the path for the souls to follow.
Traditional 7-day candles are a staple for the holiday. These candles are typically housed in tall glass jars and burn continuously throughout the celebration.
White candles represent purity, while purple signifies sorrow and mourning. Families often choose candle colours that hold special meaning for them.
In addition to candles, altars may include flowers such as cempasúchil (marigolds), copal incense, pan de muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, photographs of the deceased, and glasses of water or their favourite beverages.
