Brooke Martin
The unity candle is a candle used in a wedding ceremony to symbolize two people joining in marriage. It is a modern wedding tradition that is believed to have originated in the 1970s or 1980s and gained popularity in the second half of the 20th century in American weddings. The unity candle ceremony is not explicitly part of any religion's formal and official wedding ceremony, and its inclusion may be prohibited in some churches. However, it is a meaningful way for couples to personalize their wedding and symbolize the joining of their families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbolising the joining of two families | Two families becoming one |
| Symbolising the merging of two individuals | Two individuals becoming one |
| Symbolising the creation of a blended family | Blended family |
| Symbolising the joining of the bride and groom | Bride and groom becoming one |
| Symbolising the couple's union in the sacramental and vocational nature of their marriage | Couple's union |
| Symbolising the couple's commitment to each other | Commitment |
| Symbolising the couple's lasting romance | Lasting romance |
| Symbolising the couple's individuality | Individuality |
| Symbolising the couple's covenant marriage | Covenant marriage |
| Symbolising the bride and groom leaving their families and becoming one flesh | Bride and groom leaving their families |
| Symbolising Jesus being the Light of the World | Jesus being the Light |
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What You'll Learn
Unity candles are a modern wedding tradition
The unity candle ceremony typically involves three candles: two smaller candles that represent the bride and groom's families, and a larger central candle that represents the couple's union. Before the wedding vows, the parents or family members of the couple light the two smaller candles. The couple then uses these candles to simultaneously light the central unity candle, symbolising the joining of their two lives and families.
The unity candle ceremony is a romantic and symbolic way to personalise a wedding. Some couples choose to engrave their names or print family trees on the candle, or select candles that match their wedding colours or cultural heritage. The unity candle can also be lit at the end of the ceremony to ensure it doesn't have to remain lit for too long.
It is important to note that the unity candle ceremony is not part of the official wedding ceremony in any religion. In Catholic weddings, it is not encouraged as the Rite of Marriage already includes symbols of unity. Some Catholic churches may not permit it as it is not a traditional element of the wedding Mass. Couples should always check with their pastor or wedding venue before including the unity candle ceremony in their wedding plans.
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The candles symbolise the joining of two families
The unity candle ceremony is a wedding tradition that symbolises the joining of two families. The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom, with no record of it in the Bible or any apostolic writings. It is believed that the tradition began in the 1970s or 1980s and gained popularity through its inclusion in an episode of the TV show 'General Hospital'.
The unity candle ceremony is typically performed just before the wedding vows. The parents or other family members of the couple come forward and light a candle each to represent the bride and groom's families. The couple then simultaneously lights a larger 'unity candle' from the two smaller candles, symbolising the joining of the two families. The individual candles may be blown out, or they may remain lit, symbolising that the couple has not lost their individuality within the union.
The unity candle ceremony is a way to personalise a wedding and add a memorable, symbolic touch. It is particularly significant in Christian weddings, symbolising the couple's unity in the sacramental and vocational nature of their marriage. Some couples choose to engrave their names or print family trees on the larger unity candle, while others select candles that reflect their heritage, favourite colours, or other cultural symbols.
While the unity candle ceremony is not officially part of Catholic or Protestant wedding ceremonies, many couples choose to include it as a meaningful way to recognise the joining of their families. It is important to note that not all venues allow open flames, so couples should check with their venue before planning a unity candle ceremony.
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The couple's individual candles may remain lit, symbolising retained individuality
The unity candle ceremony is a wedding tradition that symbolises the joining of two people in marriage. The unity candle itself represents the couple's covenant marriage, with the individual candles representing the bride and groom.
The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom, first becoming popular in the second half of the 20th century in American Protestant weddings. The exact origins are unclear, but it is believed to have spread to other Christian weddings and is now a common feature in wedding ceremonies of all denominations.
The unity candle ceremony is a symbolic way to recognise the joining of two people in marriage. The individual candles, representing the bride and groom, can remain lit after the unity candle is lit, symbolising the couple's retained individuality. This interpretation is supported by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, who indicate that if the unity candle is permitted, the couple's individual candles should not be extinguished.
The couple's individual candles may be lit by their mothers, or other family members, before the wedding vows. The couple then lights the unity candle from their individual candles, creating a new flame that represents their union. The individual candles can remain lit beside the central unity candle, symbolising that the now-married couple has not lost their individuality.
The unity candle ceremony is a meaningful way to symbolise the joining of two people in marriage while also acknowledging their retained individuality. The couple's individual candles, representing their unique identities, remain lit alongside the unity candle, which represents their new life together as a married couple.
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Unity candles are a Christian tradition
The unity candle ceremony typically involves three candles: two smaller candles representing the bride and groom and a larger unity candle representing their covenant marriage. Before the wedding vows, the parents or family members of the couple light the two smaller candles, after which the couple uses these candles to simultaneously light the larger unity candle. This ritual symbolises the joining of the couple and their families, as well as the merging of their two lives into one while maintaining their individuality.
While the unity candle ceremony is not explicitly prohibited in Catholic weddings, it is also not encouraged. This is because the Rite of Marriage already includes abundant symbols of unity, and Holy Communion is typically distributed at Catholic weddings. However, in mixed marriages between a Catholic and a Christian of another tradition, the unity candle may be employed as a sign of the baptismal unity of the couple, reflecting the lighted Paschal Candle's role in the baptism rite.
The unity candle tradition is also believed to symbolise Jesus being the Light of the World, as mentioned in Matthew 5:16. The merging of two flames to create a new, inseparable flame poetically depicts two Christian lives becoming one. Some couples choose to blow out the individual candles after lighting the unity candle, symbolising their interdependence as a married couple.
Although unity candles are primarily associated with Christian weddings, they can also be adapted for non-religious ceremonies. Couples may choose to personalise the ceremony by including other family members or friends in lighting the candles, engraving their names or family trees on the candles, or incorporating decorative elements that reflect their heritage, favourite colours, or cultural symbols.
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The unity candle ceremony is not permitted in all churches
The unity candle ceremony is a wedding ritual symbolizing the joining of two individuals in marriage. The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom, believed to have originated in the second half of the 20th century in American Protestant weddings. Its popularity is often attributed to its use in a 1981 episode of the soap opera 'General Hospital'.
The unity candle ceremony is not a part of the Catholic Wedding Ceremony. It is not allowed in some Catholic dioceses and parishes because it is not included in the ritual. The Catholic Church sees the regular reception of the Holy Eucharist as the heart of Christian unity. The recently updated Catholic Rite of Marriage does not include any provisions for the Unity Candle Ceremony, and so many parishes do not allow its inclusion in the ceremony.
The unity candle ceremony is also not a part of Anglican wedding ceremonies, although it may be allowed at the discretion of the pastor.
The unity candle ceremony is a recent invention and not explicitly part of the churches' apostolic tradition, and therefore prohibited in some churches. It is advisable that couples consult the pastor before including the ceremony in their order of service.
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Frequently asked questions
A unity candle is a candle used in a wedding ceremony to symbolize two people joining in marriage.
The unity candle symbolizes the joining of two families and the merging of two individuals into one couple.
The unity candle is believed to have originated in the 1970s or 1980s as a Christian tradition in American weddings. The exact origins are unclear, but it may have been popularized by a 1981 episode of *General Hospital*.
Typically, the parents or family members of the couple light individual candles to represent each family. The couple then uses these candles to simultaneously light a larger unity candle, symbolizing their union.
The unity candle is not part of any religion's formal and official wedding ceremony. While it is commonly used in American weddings, some churches do not permit it as it is not a traditional element. It is advisable to check with the wedding venue and officiant before including the unity candle in the ceremony.
