Tyler Brooks
Dragon and Phoenix candles are a traditional Chinese custom, often used in weddings. The candles are believed to symbolise happiness and harmony, with the dragon representing the man of the house and the phoenix representing the lady of the house. The custom involves the bride keeping the dragon candle and returning the phoenix candle to the groom, symbolising her acceptance of the marriage. In some instances, the groom's family may insist on burning both dragon and phoenix candles during the wedding, believing that whichever candle burns out first foretells the corresponding spouse's death. However, some consider this practice to be inauspicious and instead suggest counteracting any potential curses by replacing the candles with red packets or simply not burning them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occasions | Wedding banquets, gifts, casting chimes, rituals, vigils, wax play, or other special occasions |
| Color | Red is a lucky color for the Chinese, symbolizing positive energy, good power, and auspiciousness |
| Design | Hand-carved dragon and phoenix, symbolizing happiness and well-being, flying together in pairs, and a hundred years of harmony |
| Size | 9.84 inches tall and 2 inches in diameter |
| Composition | High-quality, environmentally friendly wax, lead-free 100% cotton wick, non-toxic, odorless, non-drip |
| Packaging | Fragile, gold imprint on the candle may flake off during transport |
| Usage | Monitor burn time, extinguish before leaving the room or going to sleep, properly dispose of candle remnants, keep away from flammable materials |
| Cultural Significance | Symbol of happiness and harmony, commonly used in Chinese weddings and special events |
| Cantonese Tradition | Burning one dragon and one phoenix candle, predicting which spouse will pass away first based on which candle burns out first |
| Correct Handling | The groom is responsible for buying and bringing the dragon and phoenix candles to the bride's house during Guo Da Li, who then returns the phoenix candles to him |
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What You'll Learn
The groom's family buys the dragon and phoenix candles
Dragon and Phoenix candles are a traditional part of Chinese weddings, symbolizing happiness, harmony, and well-being. The groom's family typically purchases these candles, which come in pairs, with one dragon and one phoenix candle in each set. The groom presents the bride with both sets of candles during the Guo Da Li ceremony, and she accepts them, keeping the dragon candles and returning the phoenix candles to the groom.
The bride's acceptance of the dragon candles signifies her agreement to take the husband, while returning the phoenix candles to the groom indicates her consent to the marriage. The dragon represents the man of the house, and the phoenix represents the lady, and burning these candles together is believed to bring blessings and happiness to the union.
In some Cantonese traditions, burning these candles may also be associated with an ominous prediction. Each party lights one dragon and one phoenix candle on the wedding day, and whichever candle burns out first foretells the early passing of the person it represents. For example, if the dragon candle goes out first, it is believed that the groom will pass away before the bride.
However, some sources suggest that this practice may be rooted in evil intentions, particularly when the parents do not approve of the marriage. Superstitious beliefs aside, the Dragon and Phoenix candles are a beautiful and elegant addition to any wedding or special occasion, bringing with them a sense of tradition and symbolism.
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The groom brings the candles to the bride's house
Dragon and Phoenix candles are a symbol of joy, prosperity, and cultural heritage in Chinese weddings. The candles are often red, a lucky colour in Chinese culture, signifying happiness and harmony. The groom brings the candles to the bride's house during Guo Da Li, along with other GDL items. The bride accepts the candles and returns the pair of Phoenix candles to the groom, signifying her agreement to the marriage. The groom keeps the Dragon candles, signifying his acceptance of the bride as his wife.
The Dragon and Phoenix candles can be placed at the entrance of the wedding venue, along the aisle, or on the wedding altar. They can also be used as table centrepieces or decorations in the home. The candles are often beautifully carved with gold edges and words, adding elegance and cultural significance to the wedding.
Some sources suggest that the traditional way to handle Dragon and Phoenix candles is for each party to burn one dragon and one phoenix candle during the wedding. Whichever candle burns out first predicts which spouse will pass away first. However, this practice is considered inauspicious and may be done with evil intentions, especially if the parents do not approve of the marriage.
To counteract any negative intentions, couples can replace the candles with red packets or choose not to burn them at all. It is believed that evil intentions will come back to the sender threefold.
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The bride accepts and returns the phoenix candles to the groom
Dragon and Phoenix candles are used in traditional Chinese wedding ceremonies. The groom is responsible for buying both the dragon and phoenix candles and bringing them to the bride's house. The bride then accepts and returns the phoenix candles to the groom, symbolising her agreement to the marriage. The dragon candle is kept by the bride, symbolising her agreement to take the husband.
The candles are often lit during the wedding ceremony, with the groom's side burning the phoenix candles and the bride's side burning the dragon candles. The candles are also used in a hair-brushing ceremony the night before the wedding to bless the marriage with happiness.
The dragon and phoenix are symbolic in Chinese culture, with the dragon representing the man of the house and the phoenix representing the lady. The candles are often red, a lucky colour in Chinese culture, symbolising happiness, harmony, and good fortune. The candles are also beautifully carved, with gold edges and intricate details, making them a unique and elegant addition to the wedding decorations.
In some cases, the burning of these candles may be used by parents who do not approve of the marriage. They believe that whichever candle burns out first will determine which spouse dies first. However, this is not the traditional way of handling these candles, and couples can counter this negative intention by replacing the candles with red packets or simply not burning them at all.
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The groom's family burns the phoenix candles at their home
In Chinese weddings, it is customary for the groom's family to burn a pair of phoenix candles at their home. This tradition is part of the Guo Da Li ceremony, which involves an exchange of gifts between the bride and groom's families. The groom's family will typically purchase two pairs of candles, one dragon and one phoenix, and send them to the bride's family during the Guo Da Li ceremony. The bride's family will then keep the dragon candles, symbolizing her agreement to take the husband, and return the phoenix candles to the groom's family.
The groom's family will burn the phoenix candles at their home when the groom goes out to fetch the bride. It is believed that burning the candles will bring blessing and happiness to the marriage. The candles are often decorated with gold edges and words, and feature a three-dimensional relief of a dragon and phoenix, symbolizing auspiciousness, happiness, and well-being.
In some Cantonese traditions, the burning of the dragon and phoenix candles takes on a different meaning. It is believed that if one party's candle burns out first, that person will pass away first. For example, if the dragon candle burns out before the phoenix candle, it is believed that the groom will die before the bride. However, this interpretation is not universally accepted and is even considered an "evil practice" by some.
To ensure the safety of those present, it is important to keep the candles away from flammable materials and to monitor the burn time. The candles should be extinguished before leaving the room or going to sleep, and the remnants should be properly disposed of.
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The bride's family burns the dragon candles at their home
Dragon and Phoenix candles are a traditional Chinese custom, often burned during weddings and special events. The bride's family burning the dragon candles at their home is one part of this custom. The correct way of handling these candles is as follows: the groom is responsible for buying both dragon and phoenix candles, one pair of each. During Guo Da Li, the groom brings both sets of candles to the bride's house, where she accepts and returns the pair of phoenix candles to him. The bride's family then burns the dragon candles at their home.
The bride keeping the dragon candles symbolises her acceptance of the husband, while returning the phoenix candles symbolises her agreement to the marriage. The dragon represents the man of the house, and the phoenix the lady. The candles are often red, a lucky colour in Chinese culture, symbolising happiness, harmony, and good power.
In Cantonese culture, it is believed that burning one dragon and one phoenix candle on a wedding day predicts which spouse will pass away first. If the dragon candle burns out first, for example, it is believed the groom will die before the bride. This belief is considered an evil practice by some, who suggest counteracting it by replacing the candles with red packets or not burning them at all.
Dragon and Phoenix candles are often beautifully carved, with gold edges and intricate details. They are made from high-quality, environmentally friendly wax, with lead-free cotton wicks, ensuring a clean, drip-free burn. They are a popular choice for Chinese weddings, adding elegance and uniqueness to the occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
Dragon and phoenix candles are used in Chinese weddings as a symbol of happiness and harmony. The dragon candle represents the man of the house, and the phoenix candle represents the lady of the house.
Two pairs of candles are typically burned for a wedding—one pair of dragon candles and one pair of phoenix candles. The bride's side burns the dragon candles, and the groom's side burns the phoenix candles.
The groom is responsible for buying both pairs of candles and bringing them to the bride's house during Guo Da Li. The bride then accepts the candles and returns the pair of phoenix candles to the groom, signifying her agreement to the marriage.
Dragon and phoenix candles are typically made from high-quality, environmentally-friendly wax and feature lead-free cotton wicks for a clean, drip-free burn. It is important to monitor the burn time, extinguish the candles before leaving the room or going to sleep, and properly dispose of candle remnants.
