Jessie Taylor
A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle, typically featuring a cup or spike to keep the candle in place. They are often used for decorative or atmospheric purposes, as well as in religious rituals. The term candlestick refers specifically to the holder, and not the candle itself. Candlesticks come in various sizes and designs, ranging from simple wooden blocks with spikes to intricate bronze creations with multiple branches for holding multiple candles, known as candelabras.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place. |
| Other Names | Candleholder, candelabrum |
| Parts | Cup, spike ("pricket"), pan to catch dripping wax |
| Usage | Used in religious rituals, for spiritual purposes, decorative element, to add atmosphere on special occasions |
| Types | Gothic romantic, taperstick, column, lyre, girandole, menorah, dikirion, trikirion |
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What You'll Learn
A candlestick is a candle holder
A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place. It is a type of candle holder that has a socket or spike to hold one single candle. Before the advent of electricity, candles were carried from room to room using a chamberstick, a short candlestick with a pan to catch dripping wax. Candlesticks are also known as candleholders and come in various sizes and complexities, from simple medieval blocks of wood with an iron spike to the large bronze altar candlesticks of the Italian Renaissance.
The simplest form of a domestic candlestick is a block of wood with a vertical iron spike driven into its top. The lower end of the candle is then impaled onto the spike, and the upper end is lit. Over time, the design evolved to include two spikes or a circular tray with multiple spikes attached to the top. Candlesticks with multiple tiers of trays or rings for spikes, known as prickets, were commonly used in Roman Catholic churches.
Candlesticks have a long history and are often associated with religious rituals and spiritual practices. In Jewish homes, for example, two candles are lit to mark the beginning of the Sabbath every Friday, and a seven-branched candelabra, known as the menorah, is a national symbol of the State of Israel. In Christian churches, tall candlesticks and altar lamps are commonly found, and bishops use branched candelabras for blessings during worship services.
Today, candlesticks are still used decoratively or to create a particular atmosphere on special occasions. They come in various styles, such as the classic gothic romantic candlestick, the candelabra, which can hold multiple candles, and the taperstick, designed for smaller candles. Some candlesticks are also collectable, such as antique tapersticks, which were used to melt wax for sealing documents.
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A candelabrum is a type of candlestick
A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place. It may have a cup, a spike ("pricket"), or both, to keep the candle in place. A candelabrum is a type of candlestick that can hold several candles. The word "candelabrum" is derived from the Latin "candēlābrum", which means "candlestick". It is also referred to as a candelabra in its plural form.
A candelabrum is a large, standing candlestick with multiple arms or branches to hold multiple candles. It is placed on a surface such as a table, floor, or stand, as opposed to a chandelier, which is hung from the ceiling. Candelabra can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, iron, bronze, silver, and gold.
Candelabra have been used throughout history, with references to them found in the Old Testament. For example, Moses was commanded to make a seven-branched candelabrum or menorah for the Tabernacle. In the early 18th century, two-branched candelabra became popular in England, and by the 19th century, silver candelabra with multiple branches were commonly used on dinner tables.
Candelabra are often used in religious rituals and for spiritual purposes. In Judaism, the menorah and hanukkiah are special types of candelabra. In Christian churches, candelabra are used in ceremonies such as Tenebrae and by Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox bishops to bless people during worship services.
Today, candelabra are primarily used as decorative elements in homes, adding atmosphere on special occasions. They are also used by interior designers as models for light fixtures and lighting accessories.
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Candlesticks can be decorative or functional
A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place. They are sometimes referred to as "candleholders". Candlesticks can be decorative or functional, and they come in a variety of sizes and styles. For example, a candelabrum is a large, branched candlestick that can hold multiple candles, while a taperstick is a smaller, thinner version of a straight candlestick that holds narrower candles.
Candlesticks have been used throughout history, with references to ecclesiastical candlesticks found in the Old Testament. They were also commonly used before the proliferation of electricity, and they continue to be used in religious rituals and for spiritual purposes. For instance, in Jewish homes, two candles are lit to mark the beginning of the Sabbath at sundown every Friday, and a seven-branched candelabra, known as the menorah, is the national symbol of the State of Israel.
In addition to their functional use, candlesticks can also be decorative. They come in a variety of styles, such as the medieval block of wood with an iron spike or the large bronze altar candlesticks of the Italian Renaissance. Candlesticks can also be made from various materials, including wood, iron, bronze, and gold. For example, Solomon's temple had ten golden candlesticks, and the bronze founders of Germany, the Low Countries, and elsewhere produced splendid cast bronze candlesticks for ecclesiastical and secular purposes.
Today, candlesticks are often used as decorative elements in homes, adding atmosphere on special occasions. They can also be used to create a romantic or dramatic ambiance, as in the case of the candelabra. Additionally, candlesticks can be collectible items, such as antique tapersticks, which were used to melt wax for sealing documents.
Overall, candlesticks serve both functional and decorative purposes, and they continue to be used and appreciated for their warmth and inviting glow.
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Candlesticks are used in religious rituals
A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place. They are sometimes referred to as "candleholders". Candlesticks are used in religious rituals and for spiritual purposes as both functional and symbolic lights.
In Christianity, tall candlesticks and altar lamps are often found in churches. During the consecration of a church, twelve lights are placed around the walls and are anointed with holy oil. At every liturgical service, there must be at least two lighted tapers on the altar, symbolising the presence of God. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, during Bright Week (Easter Week), the priest holds a special Paschal trikirion (triple candlestick) and the deacon holds a large candle.
In Judaism, two candles are lit to mark the beginning of the Sabbath at sundown every Friday. A seven-branched candelabra, known as the menorah, is the national symbol of the State of Israel. The menorah is based on the candelabra that was used in the Temple in Jerusalem in ancient times. According to the Talmud and Kabbalah, in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle, there was a cloud of light (shekinah), and before it stood a candlestick with six branches, each with a lamp burning eternally.
In Hinduism, fire is used as an object of worship. Diwali, meaning "row or series of lights", symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".
In Zoroastrianism, fire is revered as the visible expression of Ahura Mazda, the eternal principle of light and righteousness.
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Candlesticks can be made of various materials
A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place. They are sometimes referred to as "candle holders". Candlesticks can be made of various materials and come in different sizes and styles.
Some candlesticks are made of wood, often with an iron spike to hold the candle in place. Medieval candlesticks, for example, were typically made of wood with an iron spike. Bronze is another material used to make candlesticks, with examples dating back to the late 10th and early 11th centuries found in the Magdalenenkirche at Hildesheim and the Münsterkirche at Essen. The Trivulzio candlestick in the Milan Cathedral, executed around 1200, is another impressive example of a bronze candlestick.
Gold and silver candlesticks were created for royalty, sometimes even adorned with jewels. A notable example is the Romanesque chandelier in Aachen Cathedral, crafted for the Palatine Chapel of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in 1168. In the Old Testament, there are mentions of a menorah, a candelabrum of hammered gold, that Moses was instructed to create for the Tabernacle.
Brass was also used to make candlesticks, particularly in the Meuse valley in Belgium during the Middle Ages. These candlesticks often featured circular molded stems and large spreading bases, sometimes supported by three lion feet. Earthenware was another material used for candle holders, such as the Julleuchter, which originated in 16th-century Sweden and was later manufactured in Nazi Germany.
The materials used for candlesticks have evolved over time, reflecting the cultural, religious, and decorative purposes they serve.
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Frequently asked questions
A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place.
A candle holder is another name for a candlestick.
A candelabra is a type of candlestick that can hold multiple candles. It has branches or arms that allow it to hold more than one candle.
Some examples of candlesticks include the medieval block of wood with an iron spike, the taperstick, and the column candlestick.
Candlesticks are used for various purposes, including religious rituals, decorative elements, and creating a romantic or atmospheric setting.
