Ben Carter
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage that takes place between December 26th and January 1st. The nightly lighting of the kinara, a seven-branched candelabra, is a central part of the celebration. The black candle, which represents the African people, is lit first, followed by the remaining candles, from left to right, on the following days. The red candles symbolize the struggles of the African people, while the green candles represent hope for the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 |
| Colour of the first candle lit | Black |
| Other colours | Red and green |
| What the black candle represents | African people, unity |
| What the red candles represent | Struggle, self-determination, cooperative economics, creativity |
| What the green candles represent | Future, hope, collective work and responsibility, purpose, faith |
| How many red candles | 3 |
| How many green candles | 3 |
| What the candles are called together | Mishumaa saba |
| What the candles represent together | Seven principles of Kwanzaa, Nguzo Saba |
| What the candle holder is called | Kinara |
| What kinara means | Candle holder in Swahili |
| What families do | Recite the principle that each candle represents as they light it, name deceased family members they associate with a specific principle, offer a prayer at the beginning and/or end of the ceremony |
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What You'll Learn
The black candle is lit first
Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the contemplation of one of the Seven Principles, or Nguzo Saba. The black candle is lit first each night, with one more candle lit each day, from left to right (red to green). The red candles symbolise the struggles of African people, and the green candles represent hope for the future.
Families are encouraged to make the celebration their own, deciding on their own ceremonial practices. Some families recite the principle that each candle represents as they light it, while others name deceased family members associated with a specific principle. Many families offer a prayer at the beginning and end of the ceremony.
Kwanzaa is a time of reflection and celebration of African heritage, taking place annually between December 26th and January 1st. It is a time for people to slow down, gather together, and reconnect with rituals and rhythms before the new year.
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The black candle symbolises unity
The black candle is lit first on the first day of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage that takes place between December 26th and January 1st. The nightly lighting of the kinara, a seven-branched candle holder, is a central part of the celebration. The seven candles represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. The black candle represents the first principle, Umoja, which means unity. It is placed in the centre of the kinara, with three red candles to its left and three green candles to its right. The red candles symbolise the struggles of African people, and the green candles represent hope for the future.
The black candle is lit first each night of Kwanzaa. On the second night, the black candle and the furthest left red candle are lit. On the third night, the black candle and the two furthest left red candles are lit. On the fourth night, the black candle is lit first, followed by the three red candles, from left to right. On the fifth night, the black candle is lit first, followed by the three red candles and the green candle beside the black candle. On the sixth night, the black candle is lit first, followed by the three red candles and the two green candles closest to the black candle. Finally, on the seventh night, all seven candles are lit, starting with the black candle, then the three red candles, and finally the three green candles.
The lighting of the kinara is a highly symbolic ritual. The candles are called the mishumaa saba, and each candle is lit according to the principle it represents. Some families recite the principle that each candle represents as they light it. Other families name deceased relatives associated with a specific principle when the corresponding candle is lit. Many families offer a prayer at the beginning and end of the ceremony.
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The red candles are lit next
On the fifth day, the black candle is lit first, followed by the three red candles, moving from left to right, and the first green candle beside the black candle. On the sixth day, the black candle is lit first, followed by the three red candles, and the first and second green candles closest to the black candle. The red and green candles can be alternated, starting with the closest red candle to the black candle, then moving to the first green candle beside the black one. This symbolises hope in the midst of struggle.
On the seventh day, all seven candles are lit, starting with the black candle, then moving to the far red candle, and proceeding to light all of the red candles, followed by the green candles. The red candles are thus lit on every day of Kwanzaa after the first, with the number of red candles lit corresponding to the day number.
The lighting of the candles is a central part of the Kwanzaa celebration, with each candle representing one of the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. The red, green, and black candles are the symbolic colours of the holiday.
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The red candles symbolise struggle
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage that takes place between December 26th and January 1st. During this time, a candle is lit each night, with the black candle being lit first, followed by the red and green candles. The black candle represents African people, the red candles symbolize their struggles, and the green represents hope for the future. The red candles are lit first after the black candle.
The red candles symbolize struggle, and their colour is associated with the element of fire. In some belief systems, this element is linked to qualities like passion, lust, sex, power, protection, strength, courage, success, and victory. The red candles are lit first after the black candle.
The red candles are also said to encourage fresh starts, good fortune, and fast results. They are used in spells or rituals to draw in stimulating masculine energy, release righteous anger, increase passion and lust, attract a sexual partner, boost fertility, increase vitality or stamina, and improve sexual potency.
In Kwanzaa, the red candles are placed on the left side of the kinara, a seven-branched candle holder with three red candles on the left, three green candles on the right, and a single black candle in the centre. The kinara is placed on a woven mat called a mkeka, which is placed on a table or countertop in a central location in the home.
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The green candles are lit last and symbolise hope
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage and the richness of African roots. It takes place annually between December 26 and January 1. The lighting of the kinara—a seven-branched candle holder—is a key custom during Kwanzaa. The seven candles represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. The colours of the candles—black, red, and green—are symbolic.
The black candle, also known as the unity candle, is lit first on the opening day of Kwanzaa. The red candles are lit next, with one being lit on the second, third, and fourth days of Kwanzaa. The green candles are lit last, with one being lit on the fifth day, one on the sixth, and the final green candle being lit on the seventh day. The red candles represent the struggle or blood shed in the past, while the green candles represent hope for the future, specifically the Earth and the abundance of possibilities it holds.
The lighting ceremony for Kwanzaa is flexible, and families are encouraged to make the celebration their own. For example, some families choose to alternate lighting red and green candles to symbolise hope in the midst of struggle.
The Kwanzaa candle lighting ceremony is a meaningful ritual that invites reflection and inspires hope. Each candle is lit on a specific day of the celebration and holds a specific meaning.
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Frequently asked questions
The black candle, which represents the first principle of Kwanzaa, Umoja, or unity, is lit first.
The colours of Kwanzaa are black, red, and green. The black candle represents African people, the red candles symbolize their struggles, and the green candles represent hope for the future.
There are seven candles in total, which are placed in the kinara, a candle holder with seven branches.
On the first day, only the black candle is lit. On the second day, the black candle and the leftmost red candle are lit. On the third day, the black candle and the two leftmost red candles are lit. On the fourth day, the black candle and all three red candles are lit. On the fifth day, the black candle, the three red candles, and the green candle beside the black candle are lit. On the sixth day, the black candle, the three red candles, and the two green candles closest to the black candle are lit. On the seventh day, all seven candles are lit.
