Jessie Taylor
The kinara is a candle holder with seven branches, used in Kwanzaa celebrations. The Swahili word for candleholder, kinara holds seven candles—three red on the left, three green on the right, and a single black candle in the middle. The black candle is lit first, followed by the red and then the green, symbolizing the priority of the people, the importance of struggle, and the hope that comes from it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 |
| Colour of candles | Black, red, green |
| Number of black candles | 1 |
| Number of red candles | 3 |
| Number of green candles | 3 |
| Position of black candle | Centre |
| Position of red candles | Left of black candle |
| Position of green candles | Right of black candle |
| Lighting order | Black candle first, then alternating left and right |
| Symbolism of colours | Black: people, unity; Red: struggle; Green: future, hope |
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What You'll Learn
The black candle
The red candles represent the principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), and Kuumba (creativity). They are placed to the left of the black candle and are lit on the first three days of Kwanzaa, moving from left to right. The red candle is lit second to show the importance of struggle.
On the fourth day, the black candle is lit first, followed by the farthest left red candle, moving from left to right until all red candles are lit. On the fifth day, the black candle is lit first, followed by the three red candles, moving from left to right, and then the green candle beside the black candle. The green candles represent the principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), and Imani (faith). They are placed to the right of the black candle.
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The three red candles
The kinara is a candle holder with seven branches, used during Kwanzaa celebrations. Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. The seven candles of the kinara are called mishumaa saba, which means "seven candles" in English. These candles represent the seven principles (nguzo saba) of the Kawaida philosophy. The three red candles on the left of the kinara represent the second, fourth, and sixth principles: Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), and Kuumba (creativity), respectively.
The red candles are lit on the second, third, and sixth days of Kwanzaa, after the central black candle, which is lit first to represent the priority of the people. The black candle is usually larger than the others as it needs to burn the longest. The red candles are lit next to show the importance of struggle. The red colour symbolises the blood of the people and the struggles they have endured. It also signifies the creativity and determination required to build and sustain a community.
The lighting of the candles is a ceremonial process, and families are encouraged to make the celebration their own. The official guidelines suggest lighting the candles from left to right when facing the kinara. However, many people choose to light the candles in an alternating pattern, starting with the closest red candle to the black one and then moving to the first green candle beside it. This alternating pattern symbolises hope in the midst of struggle.
The kinara is placed on a mkeka (mat) that symbolises the foundation of African tradition and history. The mkeka is placed on a table spread with a beautiful piece of African cloth, along with other symbols of Kwanzaa, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, to represent African culture and the family's commitment to the holiday.
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The three green candles
The Kinara is a candle holder with seven branches, used in Kwanzaa celebrations. Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. The seven candles of Kwanzaa are called Mishumaa Saba, which means "seven candles" in English. The three green candles on the Kinara represent the principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), and Imani (faith).
The green candles are placed to the right of the black candle, which is placed in the centre of the Kinara. The black candle is lit first, followed by the red and then the green candles. The black candle represents the people, the red candle represents their struggle, and the green candle represents the future and hope that comes from their struggle.
The proper order of lighting the Kinara is as follows: on the first day, the black candle is lit. On the second day, the black candle and the far-left red candle are lit. On the third day, the black candle and the two far-left red candles are lit. On the fourth day, starting with the black candle, the candles are lit from left to right until all red candles are lit. On the fifth day, the black candle is lit first, followed by the three red candles, moving from left to right, and then the green candle beside the black candle is lit. On the sixth day, starting with the black candle, the red candles and the first and second green candles closest to the black candle are lit. Finally, on the seventh day, all seven candles are lit, with the last candle being the green candle, Imani.
The lighting of the Kinara is a symbolic procedure, indicating that the people come first, followed by their struggle, and then the hope that comes from that struggle. The green candles, in particular, represent a good future that is forged through righteous and relentless struggle.
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The order of lighting
The kinara is a candle holder with seven branches used in Kwanzaa celebrations. The Swahili word 'kinara' means candle holder. The seven candles on the kinara are made up of three red candles, three green candles, and a single black candle in the middle. The black candle is usually larger than the others as it burns the longest. The candles are lit in a specific order, with each candle representing one of the seven core principles (nguzo saba) of Kawaida philosophy.
The black candle, which is lit first, represents the first principle, Umoja (unity). It symbolises the priority of the people and the unity of family, community, nation, and race. It is placed in the centre of the kinara.
The red candles are lit next, with the one closest to the black candle being lit first. They represent the principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination) and the importance of struggle, Ujamaa (cooperative economics), and Kuumba (creativity).
The green candles are then lit, alternating with the red candles, to symbolise hope even in the midst of struggle. They represent the principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), and Imani (faith).
On the sixth day, all but the rightmost green candle are lit. Finally, on the seventh day, all seven candles are lit, with the last candle, the green candle, Imani, representing faith and honouring the struggle of the people.
The lighting of the Kinara is a ceremonial practice that may vary between families, but the overall meaning of each candle remains the same.
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The candle colours' meanings
The candle colours of the kinara hold significant meanings during Kwanzaa, an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated annually. The kinara is a seven-branched candle holder that supports seven candles: three red, three green, and one black. Each candle colour represents one of the seven core principles (nguzo saba) of Kawaida philosophy, with a new candle lit each day.
The black candle, typically larger than the others as it burns the longest, symbolises unity (Umoja). It is placed in the centre of the kinara and lit first to stress the priority and importance of the people.
The three red candles represent the principles of self-determination (Kujichagulia), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), and creativity (Kuumba). They are placed to the left of the black candle and lit on the second, third, and fourth days, respectively, symbolising the importance of struggle.
The three green candles stand for the principles of collective work and responsibility (Ujima), purpose (Nia), and faith (Imani). Positioned to the right of the black candle, they are lit on the fifth, sixth, and seventh days. The green colour symbolises the good future and hope that emerges from the struggle.
The candles are lit in a specific order, with the black candle lit first, followed by the red candles from left to right, and then the green candles. On the seventh day, all seven candles are lit, signifying the victory of faith over struggle.
The colours red, black, and green are bold Pan-African colours that embody the spirit of African heritage and unity. During Kwanzaa, families are encouraged to create their own ceremonial practices when lighting the Kinara, personalising the celebration while honouring the core principles.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three candle colors on the Kinara.
The three colors are black, red, and green.
The black candle represents unity, family, community, nation, and race. The red candle represents self-determination, cooperative economics, creativity, and the importance of struggle. The green candle represents collective work and responsibility, purpose, faith, and the hope for a good future.
There are seven candles placed on the Kinara, with one black candle in the center, three red candles on the left, and three green candles on the right.
The Kinara is a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations, representing the seven principles that are the foundation of the African American and Pan-African holiday.
