Brooke Martin
The Lenten candle is used during the season of Lent, a time of reflection and sacrifice for Christians. It is a time when Christians give up something they enjoy to commemorate Jesus' time in the desert, leading up to Easter. The Lenten candle is a visual representation of this journey, with the light of the candle serving as a guide for one's thoughts and prayers. While there is no official symbolism associated with Lenten candles, different colours are used to represent various aspects of the Christian faith. For instance, purple is used during Lent to signify repentance and spiritual introspection, while reddish-purple colours indicate the blood of Christ and his Passion. White candles represent the perfection of Christ, and black symbolises death and our own mortality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | Two purple candles along each of the three sides of a triangular base and one white candle in the middle |
| Color | Purple, reddish-purple, black, and white |
| Symbolism | The color black symbolizes death and our dying to self throughout the Lenten period. Purple signifies repentance, spiritual introspection, and penance. White represents purity and Christ. |
| Occasion | Lent, Easter |
| Day | Sunday of each week, Good Friday, Easter Sunday |
| Purpose | To pray, meditate, and symbolize the journey of Lent |
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What You'll Learn
Purple candles signify repentance and spiritual introspection
Purple candles are used during Lent to signify repentance and spiritual introspection. The colour purple has historically been used during the Advent season to denote the penance one should undertake. During Lent, the use of reddish-purple colours indicates the blood of Christ and his Passion.
Lent is a time of reflection and sacrifice for Christians, where they give up something they enjoy to commemorate Jesus' 40 days in the desert, preparing for his ministry. The use of purple candles during this time serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and introspection.
Lenten candles can be used in a variety of ways to deepen one's connection to Jesus and focus on their Lenten journey. They can be lit during personal prayer, serving as a meditation tool to guide one's thoughts and remind them of their commitment to sacrifice. Families may also choose to incorporate Lenten candles into their devotional practices, lighting them each Sunday of Lent and pairing them with short devotional readings.
The Lenten triad is a common way to use purple candles during Lent. It consists of a triangular base covered in purple or black fabric, with nails or candle holders placed along each of the three sides to hold two purple candles, and a white candle in the middle. The purple candles represent repentance and spiritual introspection, while the white candle symbolises the purity of Christ.
As Lent progresses, the number of lit candles on the Lenten triad is reduced each week, with complete darkness on Good Friday, symbolising the death of Christ. On Easter Sunday, all the candles are lit again to celebrate Christ's resurrection.
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Black symbolises death and dying to self
The colour black is traditionally associated with death and mourning, which is why it is also associated with Lent. Black recalls our own mortality and the deaths of others, and it helps us realise the value of life and light. Black symbolises the ashes of death and our dying to self during the Lenten period. It also represents the blackness of the night in the Garden of Gethsemane and the fact that Jesus's trial took place before dawn.
Lent is about dying to self as you embrace the cross of Christ; dying to the world and living as a citizen of heaven; dying to material wants and sensual pleasures so that you may be raised by God to new heights; and dying to fleeting things so that you may take hold of eternal life. It is about clarity and growth: clarity of purpose, of living, and in recognising our ultimate goal.
During Lent, each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday, all of the candles are lit to celebrate Christ's resurrection.
The Lenten triad is a triangular base covered in purple or black fabric, with nails or candle holders holding two purple candles along each of the three sides. A white candle is placed in the middle. The colour black is used because it symbolises the ashes of death and our dying to self during the Lenten period. The white candle in the centre represents Christ and is lit to symbolise Christ's resurrection.
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White symbolises purity and Christ's resurrection
The Lenten Candles Family Activity is a simple way to observe Lent as a family. The lighting of candles is a powerful teaching tool to visually demonstrate the expectant longing and anticipation of Advent. While there is no official symbolism of the Lenten candles, the white candle is often placed in the middle of the Lenten triad, surrounded by purple or black fabric or candles. The white candle symbolises purity and Christ's resurrection.
The colour white is associated with purity, and the white candle represents Christ. On Easter Sunday, all the candles are lit to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The lighting of the Christ candle symbolises the light of the world and the enlightenment that comes with it.
The Lenten triad is a triangular base covered with purple or black fabric or painted in those colours. The purple candles signify repentance, and the colour black symbolises the ashes of death and our dying to self during Lent, which culminates in the death of Christ on Good Friday.
Each week of Lent, families pair the lighting of their Lenten candles with a short devotional. The candles are progressively extinguished until there is complete darkness on Good Friday, symbolising the death of Christ. The Lenten candles are a powerful way to encounter Jesus and the gospel, and they provide a meaningful way to focus on the season of Lent as a family.
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Red symbolises the Passion of Christ
The colour red is a powerful symbol in Christianity, and it carries a range of symbolic meanings during Lent. While purple and black candles are also used during this period, red is reserved for specific days and services.
The colour red also symbolises martyrdom, with blood and fire as direct symbols of this. On Palm Sunday and Good Friday, the liturgical colour red is used to commemorate Christ's sacrifice and the shedding of his precious blood for humanity's sins. This is also reflected in the soldiers' act of placing a red or purple robe on Jesus to mock him as "The King of the Jews".
In addition to its association with blood, red symbolises God's love and mercy, as well as life, death, sin, salvation, and judgement. It is used on the feast days of the writers of the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—as they are identified with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit when composing the New Testament.
During Lent, families often use candles as a visual tool to mark the progression of the season. While each week of Advent involves lighting a new candle, making the display brighter, Lent is marked by progressively extinguishing candles, until Good Friday, when all are extinguished. On Easter Sunday, all the candles are lit again to celebrate Christ's resurrection.
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Red and white candles were historically used by German Christians to show children when Christmas was coming
While the colours of candles used during Lent seem to vary, with some sources mentioning purple, black, and white, red and white candles have been traditionally used by German Christians for Advent, which is the period leading up to Christmas.
The Adventskranz, or Advent wreath, is a German tradition that involves lighting candles in the four weeks preceding Christmas. The wreath typically contains four large white candles, representing the four Sundays before Christmas, and smaller red candles for each weekday. The lighting of the candles helps children visualise the countdown to Christmas and learn how to count.
The Adventskranz is said to have originated in 1839 by Johann Hinrich Wichern, who created it for the boys in the children's home "Rauhes Haus" in Hamburg. The original wreath was made from a large wagon wheel with four big white candles and smaller red candles for the weekdays. The wreath was hung in the prayer hall, and the children could see how many days were left until Christmas.
Over time, the Adventskranz evolved, and greenery was added in 1860. Today, the wreath is commonly found in German homes, churches, and public spaces, with candles lit on each Sunday of Advent. The white candle often represents purity and Christ, while the red candles symbolise the anticipation and longing associated with the Advent season.
While red and white candles are traditional in Germany, other countries like the United States favour purple candles to match their liturgical garments.
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Frequently asked questions
The colour purple is used during Lent to signify repentance. It also signifies the spiritual introspection that comes with preparation for baptism at the Easter Vigil service. More reddish-purple candles can be used to indicate the blood of Christ and his Passion. The colour black symbolises the ashes of death and our dying to self throughout the Lenten period, culminating in the death of Christ on Good Friday. White candles represent Christ and the perfection of Christ.
Lenten candles can be used in a variety of ways, including lighting them during prayer or meditation, using them to symbolise your Lenten journey, and decorating your home to deepen your connection to Jesus. They can also be lit in memory of someone or something or as a sign of hope.
Devotional practices associated with Lenten candles include pairing candle lighting with a short devotional on each Sunday of Lent, singing songs during family devotional time, and using candles to symbolise Christ's resurrection on Easter morning.
