Tyler Brooks
The use of candles in religious contexts is ancient and universal. Fire and light are used in worship across many religions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Hinduism. In Christianity, candles are used in worship as symbols of the light of God and Christ. They are also used in prayer, to commemorate saints or biblical events, and in processions. In Buddhism, candles are placed before shrines or images of the Buddha as a show of respect, and they are used in festivals. In Judaism, candles are lit on Friday evenings to celebrate the beginning of Shabbat, and during the Hanukkah Festival, a candle is lit every night for eight consecutive nights. While the use of candles in paganism is less clear, some sources suggest that Greeks and Romans used lamps in worship, and that candles were used in Roman pagan culture for religious and military processions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candles in Paganism | Candles were used in Roman pagan culture for religious and military processions, showing divine favour and the presence of gods. |
| The pagan custom of burying lamps with the dead was to provide light in the next world. | |
| Pagans may use candles in worship, but this is not mandatory and is an individual choice. | |
| Greeks and Romans used lamps, but not candles, in worship. | |
| Candles in Christianity | Christians use candles in Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. |
| Candles are lit during the Sacrament of Baptism, and at Easter, the Paschal candle is lit as a sign of the risen light of Christ. | |
| Christians believe that lighting candles honours God and reflects on His majesty and goodness. | |
| Christians believe that Christ is the light of the world, and that fire and light are manifestations of the divine nature and presence. | |
| Candles have been used in Christian worship since at least the 12th century. |
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What You'll Learn
Candles in Christian worship
Candles are among the oldest human inventions still in use today, so it is no surprise that they play a crucial role in many religions. In Christianity, candles are commonly used in worship for decoration and ambiance, but also as symbols representing the light of God or, specifically, the light of Christ.
The use of candles in Christian worship can be traced back to the 2nd century, when a Christian academic wrote that the religion uses candles “not just to dispel night’s gloom but also to represent Christ, the Uncreated and Eternal Light”. The symbolism of light, and by extension, candles, has a long history in the Catholic Church. Altar candles have been used in Masses since at least the 12th century. These candles remind Christians of the persecuted Christians in the first centuries who secretly celebrated Mass at night or in the catacombs by candlelight.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, candles are lit before icons, usually of Jesus Christ or the Theotokos. Orthodox churches usually use long, thin candles, which are placed in round containers with sockets or in a container filled with sand. Lutheran, Anglican, and Roman Catholic churches do not make a distinction between candles lit for the living and the departed. In the Roman Catholic Church, candles are sometimes placed before a statue of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or another saint.
In the Latin Church or Roman Catholic Church, the use of ceremonial lights falls under three categories. Firstly, they may symbolize the light of God's presence, of Christ as the Light, or of the children of Light in conflict with the powers of darkness. Secondly, they may be votive, offered as an act of worship to God. Finally, they may simply be expressions of joy during festivals.
During the Paschal Vigil and throughout Bright Week, the priest holds a special paschal candle. In the Greek tradition, this is a single candle, while in the Slavic tradition, it is a triple candlestick. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, bonfires are lit on the Feast of Timkat (Epiphany).
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Candles in pagan worship
Candles are commonly used in pagan worship. They are used as a reverence to deities, as border signs for all kinds of Magick Circles, and are especially popular for use in meditation. In Wicca and related forms of Neo-paganism, the candle is often used on the altar to represent the presence of the God and Goddess. They are also used in the four corners of a ritual circle to represent the presence of the four classical elements: Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. The act of lighting and extinguishing the candle marks the opening and closing of the ritual.
Paganism is a diverse religion, and each individual practitioner is free to worship in their own way. Some pagans use candles for magical purposes, or 'spell work'. This involves using a new candle, anointed with natural oil, and sometimes coated in herbs. The candle is then burned to set one's intention into motion. The colour of the candle and the type of oil used are chosen for their magical properties.
Candles are also used in pagan worship to create a sense of occasion and to help the practitioner step away from modern life. The element of fire is important, as it represents light, heat, and energy. Some pagans use electric candles, arguing that electricity is a form of fire. However, others disagree, believing that the flame and the process of burning down are integral to the purpose of the candle.
The use of candles in pagan worship has a long history. In Roman pagan culture, candles were used in religious and military processions, and in temples, to show the divine favour and presence of the gods. The pagan custom of burying unlit lamps with the dead was to provide the deceased with a means of obtaining light in the next world.
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The history of candles in religion
Candles are one of the oldest human inventions still widely used today, so it is no surprise that they play a crucial role in many religions. The use of candles in religious ceremonies predates Christianity, with evidence of their use in ancient pagan cultures.
In Roman pagan culture, candles were used in religious and military processions to signify the divine favour and presence of the gods. The Greeks and Romans also used lamps in worship, and the pagan custom of burying lamps with the dead was to provide a source of light in the next world.
Christians adopted the use of candles for Mass, liturgical processions, prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. In Christian belief, Christ is the true light, and God is presented as the creator of light. Thus, the lighting of candles is seen as a way to honour God and reflect on His goodness. Christians also light candles during the Sacrament of Baptism, presenting a candle lit from the Paschal candle to symbolise the light of Christ.
The use of candles in Christian worship can be traced back to at least the 12th century, and possibly as early as the 2nd century, when a Christian academic wrote that the religion used candles to represent Christ, the Uncreated and Eternal Light.
The ceremonial use of lights is also common in Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Hindu rites and customs. For example, in the Jewish religion, candles are lit on Friday evenings to celebrate the beginning of Shabbat, and during the Hanukkah Festival, a candle is lit for eight consecutive nights.
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The symbolism of candles
The use of candles holds significant symbolic value in various religious and spiritual traditions, including both Pagan and Christian faiths. While candle usage has a long history in Pagan practices, it has also been adopted and imbued with new meanings by Christians.
In Pagan traditions, candles are often associated with rituals, magic, and the celebration of natural cycles. They are used to represent the element of fire and are believed to possess cleansing, purifying, and transformative properties. Pagans may use candles to honour deities, mark the seasons, or cast spells. The flame of a candle is seen as a powerful symbol of manifestation, representing the spark of creation and the light of divine energy.
For Christians, candle usage carries a different set of symbolic meanings. In Christianity, candles often represent prayer, devotion, and the light of Christ. The lighting of candles in churches and chapels is a long-standing tradition, with believers often lighting candles as a form of supplication or thanksgiving. The candle's flame is seen as a symbol of faith, hope, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
One of the most recognizable uses of candles in Christianity is during the ritual of baptism, where a single candle, known as the "paschal candle," represents the light of Christ overcoming the darkness of sin. This candle is often decorated with the symbols of the cross and the current year, serving as a reminder of Christ's resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
In both Pagan and Christian contexts, candles are often used in rituals and ceremonies to mark important life transitions, such as birth, marriage, and death. The lighting of a candle can signify the presence of the divine, offering comfort, guidance, and a sense of sacredness during these pivotal moments. Additionally, the act of lighting a candle can serve as a physical manifestation of one's intentions, hopes, or prayers, with the flame symbolizing the transformation and illumination sought through spiritual practice.
Beyond their specific religious connotations, candles can also hold more universal symbolic meanings. They can represent light in the darkness, serving as a reminder of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit. The warmth and softness of a candle's glow can evoke feelings of peace, calm, and tranquility, making them powerful tools for creating sacred spaces and fostering moments of reflection and contemplation.
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Candles in religious ceremonies
Candles have been used in religious ceremonies for millennia, with few objects as ancient and universal across cultures and faiths. Fire and light are conceived as symbols or manifestations of the divine nature and presence in many religions.
Christianity
Christians have adorned candles with significant importance in their ceremonies. The use of candles in Christian worship was noted as early as the 2nd century by a Christian academic, who wrote that candles were used to represent Christ, the "Uncreated and Eternal Light". Christians also base their beliefs on the Scripture, in which lamps were used to symbolise the presence of God in the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple. Candles are used in Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. They are also used in baptism ceremonies, where the priest presents a candle lit from the Paschal candle, and tells the newly baptised to receive the light of Christ. At Easter, the Paschal candle is lit as a sign of the risen light of Christ.
Paganism
The use of candles in paganism is less clear. While the Greeks and Romans used lamps in worship, there is little evidence of widespread candle use in Germanic, Celtic, Hellenic, and Roman religious practices. However, candles were used in Roman pagan culture for religious and military processions, and the pagan custom of burying lamps with the dead was to provide light in the next world.
Other Religions
The ceremonial use of lights is also found in Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Hindu rites and customs. In Judaism, candles are lit on Friday evenings to celebrate the beginning of Shabbat, and during the Hanukkah Festival, a candle is lit every night for eight days to commemorate the consecration of a new altar in the Temple of Jerusalem.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles are used in Christianity to symbolise light, which represents Christ, the "light of the world". They are used in Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament.
The use of candles in Paganism is less clear, as there is little information about the rites of worship in pre-Christian times. However, it is known that Greeks and Romans used lamps in religious practices, and that candles were used in Roman pagan culture for religious and military processions to show the presence of the gods.
Yes, candles are used in many other religions, including Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Sikhism.
