Brooke Martin
Altar candles are tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine, topped with a brass or glass candle follower to prevent wax from spilling. They are used in Christian worship and have been for centuries, symbolising the light of Christ, the light of the gospel, and the magnificence of God's love. They are also used in Taoist religion, where a central lamp on the altar represents the Tao, with two candles either side representing Yin and Yang. The number of candles used in Christian worship varies between denominations, with Lutherans using two single beeswax candles, and Roman and Catholic traditions using six or seven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Altar candles are made of beeswax and stearine |
| Topping | Brass or glass candle follower |
| Lit using | Taper (a lit wick attached to a long handle) |
| Lit in a particular order | Right to left |
| Extinguished in a particular order | Left to right |
| Number of candles | Two (in Anglicanism, Lutheranism, Methodism, and Taoism), six (in Counter-Reformatory Roman use and solemn high Mass), or seven (in pontifical high Mass) |
| Symbolism | Light of Jesus Christ, light of the world, festivity, solemnity, light of the gospel, sacredness of time and space for worship |
| Other types | Paschal (or Christ) candle, Advent candles, votive light, torches, pavement lights, sanctuary lamp |
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What You'll Learn
Altar candles are tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine
The use of two altar candles is said to represent the dual nature of Jesus as both a human being and God. Additionally, the light of the candles is believed to symbolize the light of Christ or the gospel, reminding the congregation of the sacred nature of the time and space for worship.
The candles are made of beeswax, with the pure wax extracted by bees from flowers symbolizing the pure flesh of Christ, while the wick represents his soul and the flame his divinity. The use of beeswax candles is also practical, as they burn slowly, are odourless, dripless, and smokeless, making them ideal for use in churches.
Altar candles are often topped with a brass or glass candle follower, preventing wax from spilling onto altar linens. They are lit using a taper, a lit wick attached to a long handle, and are typically lit and extinguished in a specific order. For example, in Anglicanism, the right-side candle is lit first, followed by the left, and extinguished in reverse order.
The number of altar candles and their arrangement can vary depending on the denomination and specific liturgical traditions. For instance, Lutheranism typically uses two beeswax candles, while Counter-Reformatory Roman practices may use up to six candles.
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They are used in Christian worship and symbolise the light of Christ
Altar candles are tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine. They are used in Christian worship and symbolise the light of Christ. They are placed on the altar or on a shelf or gradine behind it. The number of candles used varies across denominations and specific occasions. For instance, Lutheranism uses two single beeswax candles, while Counter-Reformatory Romanism uses six. In Catholic pontifical high masses, seven candles are lit, with the seventh candle being somewhat higher than the others and placed in the middle of the altar.
The use of candles in Christian worship has a long history. Lamps and candles were in normal use in Christian worship by the 4th century, but it was not until the 12th century that the first known mention of altar lights appeared. A report from this time describes two candles flanking an altar cross in the papal chapel. The use of two lights on the altar was also mandated by Edward VI in 1547, symbolising that "Christ is the very true light of the world".
The lighting of altar candles is often associated with specific rituals and occasions in Christian worship. For example, during the Easter Vigil, the altar candles are lit after the Renewal of Baptismal Vows and before the Easter Acclamation, "Alleluia. Christ is risen". At the Consecration of a Church, candles are lit after the dedication of the altar by the bishop. The lighting of candles symbolises the light of Christ, reminding the congregation of the sacred nature of the time and space for worship.
The composition of altar candles is also significant. Beeswax candles are preferred as the pure wax extracted by bees symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, while the wick represents his soul and the flame his divinity. The use of candles made from other materials, such as tallow or paraffin, is generally forbidden.
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The number of candles used varies between denominations
The number of candles used in religious ceremonies varies between denominations. For instance, in Lutheranism, two single beeswax candles are placed near the extremities of the altar, either on the gradine or as close as possible to the back of the mensa. In contrast, Counter-Reformatory Roman customs use six candles. Candelabra, which are substitutes for the two single candles, are a Protestant tradition.
In Anglicanism, no more than two lights are placed on the altar, according to Percy Dearmer's The Parson's Handbook. The use of six candlesticks on the altar or on a shelf or gradine behind it is considered "pure Romanism". From the 13th to the 19th centuries, every declaration on the subject mentioned the presence of two lights on the altar, and this tradition is also depicted in illustrations from the National Gallery's Flemish, German, Italian, and Arundel collection rooms.
Methodist churches typically use two candles in a manner similar to the Anglican way. The two candles on the altar symbolise that Jesus was both a human being and God. At the end of the service, the light is carried out to symbolise that Jesus Christ is for all people.
In the Taoist religion, a central lamp on the altar represents the Tao, while two candles to its left and right represent Yin and Yang.
In the Catholic tradition, seven candles are lit at a pontifical high Mass, with the seventh candle placed in the middle of the altar and slightly higher than the other six. At a solemn high Mass, six candles are lit. When a priest celebrates Mass, more than two candles may be used, and when a bishop celebrates, more than four candles may be used.
In the Episcopal Church, candles are used extensively in the Christian liturgical tradition, and they may be carried in procession, placed on the altar, or on a reredos behind the altar. The Easter Vigil service begins with the lighting of the Paschal candle, which is to burn at all services from Easter Day through Pentecost.
In addition, Lutheranism uses Advent candles, which serve as a calendar or "countdown" to Christmas. These candles are typically placed in a wreath, with two purple or blue Sundays, one pink, and a last purple or blue Sunday leading up to Easter.
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They are lit and extinguished in a specific order
Altar candles are tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine. They are placed directly on the altar or in tall stands to the side of or behind it. They are lit and extinguished in a specific order, with the Epistle candle being lit first and the Gospel candle last, and extinguished in reverse order. This is done to ensure that the Gospel side candle is never burning alone. The Gospel side of the church is the left side when facing the front, so the candles are lit from right to left and extinguished from left to right.
The specific order of lighting and extinguishing altar candles may vary slightly depending on the religious denomination and specific rituals being performed. For example, in Lutheranism, two single beeswax candles are used, while Counter-Reformatory Roman traditions use six candles. In Anglicanism, no more than two lights are used on the altar, while Methodist churches typically use two candles in a similar manner.
The lighting and extinguishing of altar candles are often performed by servers, and there are specific instructions for how to do so gracefully and efficiently. For example, it is considered improper to light the candles with a match held in the hand or to extinguish them with puffs of breath. Instead, a lighter and snuffer are to be used.
The use of altar candles and the significance of their lighting and extinguishing vary across religions. In Christianity, candles are often used as a sign of festivity and solemnity in worship, symbolising the light of Jesus Christ going out into the world. In the Taoist religion, a central lamp on the altar represents the Tao, while two candles to the left and right represent Yin and Yang.
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They are placed on the altar, re table or pavement lights
Altar candles are placed on the altar, re table or pavement lights, and are used in Christian worship as a sign of festivity and solemnity. They have been used in Christian worship since the 4th century, but it was not customary to place them on the altar until the 12th century. The first known mention of altar lights was a 12th-century report of two candles flanking an altar cross in the papal chapel.
The number of candles used varies according to the denomination. In Lutheranism, for example, two single beeswax candles are placed near the extremities of the altar. In the Anglican Church, no more than two candles are used on the altar, while in the Catholic Church, six or seven candles are used for a solemn high Mass. The use of a row of six candlesticks on the altar is considered "pure Romanism" in the Church of England.
Altar candles are tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine. They are topped with a brass or glass candle follower to prevent wax from spilling onto altar linens. They are lit using a taper, which is a lit wick attached to a long handle. The lighting and extinguishing of altar candles follow a specific order. In general, candles are lit from right to left and extinguished from left to right. In the Catholic Church, the Epistle candle is lit first, and the Gospel candle is lit last; they are extinguished in reverse order.
The placement of altar candles also varies. They may be placed directly on the altar, on a re table (a shelf or gradine behind the altar), or on pavement lights (long holders or poles in stands that rest on the floor of the church). The lighting of altar candles often carries symbolic significance. In Christianity, candles are seen as symbols of the light of Christ or the gospel, and they serve as a reminder that the time and space for worship are sacred. In the Taoist religion, a central lamp on the altar represents the Tao, while two candles to the left and right represent Yin and Yang.
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Frequently asked questions
Altar candles are tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine. They are used in Christian liturgical traditions and symbolise the light of Christ or the light of the gospel.
Altar candles are typically made of beeswax. The pure wax extracted by bees from flowers symbolises the pure flesh of Christ.
The number of candles used varies by denomination. In Anglicanism, no more than two candles are used on the altar. Lutheranism also uses two candles, while Counter-Reformatory Roman uses six. In pontifical high Mass, seven candles are lit, with the seventh candle placed in the middle of the altar.
Altar candles are lit using a taper, which is a lit wick attached to a long handle. The candles are lit in a specific order, with the Epistle candle lit first and the Gospel candle last. They are extinguished in reverse order, with the Gospel candle being put out first.
