Chloe Adams
Novena candles are used in Catholic religious devotions known as novenas. Novenas are 9-day prayer rituals with the intention of seeking aid and building a relationship with a specific saint, usually for a specific purpose. The practice of the novena is based in early Christianity, where masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for the deceased. Novena candles are lit at the beginning of the nine-day period and are allowed to burn uninterrupted for the duration of the novena.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning time | 9 days |
| Religious affiliation | Catholic |
| Purpose | Seeking aid and building a relationship with a specific saint |
| Ritual | Prayer for 9 successive days |
| Placement | Church, home, or given to those unable to attend the Novena |
| Type of candles | Beeswax, glass-encased |
| Colors | White, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Violet, Black |
| Color symbolism | White-purity and protection; Pink-love and friendship; Yellow-success and prosperity; Orange-creativity and energy; Blue-serenity and security; Violet-intuition and spirituality; Black-protection |
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What You'll Learn
Novena candles are used in 9-day Catholic prayer rituals
Novena candles are used in Catholic prayer rituals that are held over 9 successive days. The word 'novena' is derived from the Latin word 'novem', which means nine. Novenas are most often prayed by members of the Catholic Church, but Lutherans, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians also practice them.
Novena rituals involve addressing Heaven with the same request, wish, or prayer for nine days. Novena candles are lit at the start of this period and are left to burn uninterrupted for its duration. The candles are often placed in front of an altar, with nine levels where the Holy Cross is placed at the top. Each day, the candles are raised by one level, and the rituals include congregational prayers, hymn singing, and devotionals. Novenas can be either private or public affairs and can take on a festive atmosphere, with feasts and group prayers.
The candles are typically made of glass and encased in beeswax, and they come in various colours, each with its own significance. For example, white candles are the most classic and widely used, as the colour is associated with the divine and the energy of the Universe. Pink candles are used for prayers concerning love, friendship, and tenderness, while yellow candles attract prosperity and success. Blue candles are recommended for administrative matters and to unblock lawsuits, and orange candles are used for requests for inspiration and creativity.
Novena candles are an ancient tradition in Christianity, and they are still widely practised today. They are believed to be a means of seeking aid and building a relationship with a specific saint or angel, often for a specific purpose.
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They are often glass-encased and brightly coloured
Novena candles are used in Catholic religious devotions known as "novenas", which are 9-day prayer rituals with the intention of seeking aid and building a relationship with a specific saint, usually for a specific purpose. The word "novena" comes from the Latin word "novem", meaning nine. The practice of the novena is based in early Christianity, where masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for the deceased. The tradition may have originated from an ancient Greek and Roman custom of nine days of mourning after the death of a loved one, followed by a feast.
Novena candles are often glass-encased and brightly coloured. They are sometimes adorned with silk-screened images, foil, or Saran wrap, while others are plain and unmarked. The colours of the candles are chosen based on the intention of the prayer. For instance, pink candles are used for prayers concerning love, friendship, and tenderness, while yellow candles are used to attract prosperity and success. Blue candles are recommended for administrative matters and to unblock a lawsuit, and orange candles are used for prayers requesting inspiration and creativity. White novena candles are the most classic and most used, as the colour is associated with the divine and the energy of the universe.
The candles are lit at the beginning of the nine-day period and are allowed to burn uninterrupted for the duration of the novena. Novena rituals can be either private or communal affairs, with group prayers, feasts, and vigils.
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The colour of the candle can influence its intention
Novena candles are used in Catholic religious devotions known as "novenas", which are 9-day prayer rituals with the intention of seeking aid and building a relationship with a specific saint, usually for a specific purpose. The colour of the candle can influence its intention, and different colours are used for different purposes.
White novena candles are the most classic and most used. White is the colour of the divine and the energy of the Universe. It is used for purification and protection, amplifying spiritual acts and the power of prayers.
Pink novena candles are suitable for prayers concerning love, friendship, tenderness, stable bonds, marriage, family, new encounters, or reconciliations. It brings sweetness to prayer and promotes complicity in relationships.
Yellow novena candles attract prosperity, success, fame, and popularity by developing self-confidence, charm, and luck. They are used for money or job applications, professional or student life, or for exams.
Orange novena candles are recommended for requests for inspiration and creativity, as well as for care. They bring a good mood, attract attention, and awaken the senses.
Blue novena candles are often used for administrative matters, such as unblocking a lawsuit or solving problems. They are also recommended for those seeking serenity, security, understanding, success, hope, trust, loyalty, or sincerity.
Purple novena candles are recommended for meditation, clairvoyance, concentration, and relaxation. It is the colour of esotericism and helps to develop intuition, mental and spiritual prowess.
Black novena candles are effective protection candles.
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They are sometimes used in combination with other rituals
Novena candles are used in Catholic religious devotions known as "novenas", which are 9-day prayer rituals with the intention of seeking aid and building a relationship with a specific saint, usually for a specific purpose. The practice of the novena is based in early Christianity, where Masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for the deceased. The word "novena" comes from the Latin word "novem", meaning "nine".
Novena candles are sometimes used in combination with other rituals. For example, in Christian communities in the Philippines and Latin America, novena traditions include devotional rituals in front of an altar, with nine levels where the Holy Cross is placed at the top. These altars are lit up with novena candles, decorated with flowers, and adorned with other ritual items. Statues of the Virgin Mary, Apostles, and saints of regional significance are also often decorated. In these cases, the devotional candle is usually lit first before turning to the more intricate ritual components.
Novena candles are also used in combination with other rituals in the form of feast celebrations. In some Catholic families and communities, novenas can take on a party atmosphere, with friends gathering to sit in vigil, share feasts, and perform group prayers. Folk magic traditions have also grown around novena rituals, and in the early 1940s, devotional candles began to be advertised in spiritual supply catalogs as "religious" goods.
The colour of the candle used in a novena ritual is also significant. For example, pink candles are used for prayers concerning love, friendship, and tenderness, while yellow candles attract prosperity and success. Blue candles are recommended for administrative matters and to unblock lawsuits, and orange candles stimulate creativity and are beneficial for prayers for a speedy recovery. White novena candles are the most classic and widely used, symbolising purity, sincerity, and protection.
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Novena candles are also used in other Christian denominations
Novena candles are used in Catholic religious devotions known as "novenas", which are 9-day prayer rituals with the intention of seeking aid and building a relationship with a specific saint, usually for a specific purpose. The novena ritual is derived from ancient Greek and Roman pre-Christian rites around honouring the dead. The devotional candles sanctioned by the Catholic Church were originally made of 100% beeswax and designed to burn for 9 days. They were sometimes affixed with a paper prayer card of the petitioned saint. Folk magic traditions grew around novena rituals and their glass-encased candles.
The colour of the candle can have an impact on the intention behind its use. White novena candles are the most classic and most used. White is the colour of the divine and is used for purification and protection. Red candles are recommended for defence against the forces of evil, while pink candles are suitable for prayers concerning love, friendship, and family. Yellow candles attract prosperity and success, and blue candles are recommended for administrative matters. Orange candles are recommended for requests for inspiration and creativity, and green candles are advised for requests concerning money. Purple candles are recommended for meditation and clairvoyance, and black candles are effective protection candles.
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Frequently asked questions
A novena candle is a candle that burns for nine days in a row, accompanying prayers.
The devotional candles sanctioned by the Catholic Church were originally made from 100% beeswax and poured so that they would burn for nine days.
Novena candles are used to seek aid and build a relationship with a specific saint, usually for a specific purpose.
The candle should be allowed to burn on its own for nine days without interruption. It is customary to pray every day that the candle is lit.
Novena candles come in a variety of colours, including white, pink, yellow, orange, blue, purple, and black. Each colour is associated with different intentions and purposes.
