Tyler Brooks
The candle holder used during Kwanzaa is called a Kinara, which is a Swahili word that means candle holder. The Kinara holds seven candles: three red, three green, and one black, which represent the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. Each day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the Kinara, with the black candle in the centre being lit first, followed by the red and green candles in alternating order. The lighting of the candles provides an opportunity for families and communities to gather and discuss the meaning and importance of each principle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kinara |
| Number of candles | 7 |
| Colors | Red, green, black |
| Candle placement | 3 red on the left, 3 green on the right, 1 black candle in the center |
| Lighting order | Black candle first, then alternating left and right |
| Symbolism | The 7 principles of Kwanzaa |
| Meaning of colors | Red: struggle, Green: future, Black: people |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Kinara candleholder
The Kinara is a candleholder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. The word "Kinara" first appeared in 1975 and is derived from the Swahili word for candle holder. During Kwanzaa, a candle is lit on the Kinara each day. The Kinara holds seven candles, three red on the left, three green on the right, and a single black candle in the centre. These are the symbolic colours of Kwanzaa and each candle corresponds to one of the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. The black candle is lit first, followed by alternating red and green candles from left to right.
The first Kinara was crafted by US Organisation member Buddy Rose-Aminifu in 1967. Prior to this, a Hanukkah menorah was used to hold the seven candles. Early photographs of the first Kinara show that it was made from a wooden log with holes drilled into it to support the candles. Today, Kinara candleholders can be found for sale on sites like Etsy, where they are often beautifully handcrafted and well-reviewed.
Archiving Candles: Best Storage Practices
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The symbolic colours of the candles
The Kwanzaa candle holder is called a Kinara. It holds seven candles: three red, three green, and one black. Each candle is lit on successive nights during the week-long Kwanzaa celebration, with each candle representing one of the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. The black candle is lit first, followed by alternating red and green candles until all seven are lit.
Red
The red candles represent Kujichagulia, Ujamaa, and Kuumba, which stand for self-determination and the struggle for freedom and self-determination by people of colour. In the Yoruba religion, red is the colour of Shango, the god of fire, thunder, and lightning.
Green
The green candles represent Nia, Ujima, and Imani. Green symbolises the earth that sustains life and provides hope, divination, employment, and the fruits of the harvest. It also represents the good future that is forged through righteous and relentless struggle.
Black
The black candle represents Umoja, or unity, which is the basis of success. Black symbolises the people, the source of life, and the African continent. It also represents hope, creativity, and faith, as well as the opening and closing of doors.
The lighting of the candles each evening provides an opportunity for families and communities to gather and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa and the importance of the day's principle.
The Paschal Candle: A Liturgical Tradition and Its Meaning
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
The seven candles used in Kwanzaa celebrations are held in a candleholder called a Kinara. The word "Kinara" is derived from the Swahili language and means candle holder. The candles are red, green, and black—the symbolic colours of the holiday—and each candle represents one of the Seven Principles, or Nguzo Saba.
- Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
- Kujichagulia (Self-determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our own.
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): This principle focuses on building and supporting businesses and enterprises that benefit the community.
- Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of the community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
- Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way that we can, to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than when we inherited it.
- Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Each day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the Kinara, beginning with the black candle in the centre, which represents Umoja. The lighting then proceeds from left to right, with the new candle corresponding to the principle of the day. Families come together to discuss the importance of each principle and how it fosters community.
Candles With Essential Oils: Are They Safe for Dogs?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The candle-lighting ceremony
The black candle, symbolizing Umoja (unity), is lit first and placed in the centre of the kinara. The three green candles, representing Nia, Ujima, and Imani, are placed to the right of the black candle, while the three red candles, representing Kujichagulia, Ujamaa, and Kuumba, are placed to the left. Each candle is lit in a specific order, alternating between left and right, with the new candle corresponding to the principle of the day.
The kinara itself holds symbolic significance. The word "kinara" is derived from the Swahili language and means "candle holder." The candle holder's design can vary, from straight lines to semicircles or spirals, but the seven candles must always be separate and distinct. The candles' colours—red, black, and green—also carry meaning. Red symbolizes the struggle for self-determination and freedom, representing the Yoruba god of fire, Shango. Black represents the people, the earth, and the source of life, signifying hope, creativity, and faith. Green symbolizes the earth that sustains life and provides hope, divination, employment, and the fruits of the harvest.
Candle Sticks: Burning Longer and Brighter
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The history of the Kinara
The Kinara is a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations in the United States. The word "Kinara" was first used in 1975 and is derived from the Swahili word for candle holder.
The Kinara was first used in 1966, during the inaugural Kwanzaa celebrations. Maulana Karenga, one of the founders of Kwanzaa, wanted a candle holder with seven holes to represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. However, as a handcrafted Kinara was not available, two candle holders were broken off from a Hanukkah menorah to hold the seven candles. The following year, US Organization member Buddy Rose-Aminifu crafted the first Kinara, which was a rudimentary design made from a wooden log with holes drilled into it to hold the candles.
During Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the Kinara each day, with the centre black candle lit first, followed by three red candles on the left and three green candles on the right. Each candle represents one of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, which are: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). The colours of the candles are also symbolic, with red representing the struggle, black representing the people, and green representing the future.
The Kinara is one of the essential symbols of Kwanzaa, along with the Mkeka (mat), Muhindi (corn representing children), Mazao (fruit representing the harvest), and Zawadi (gifts). Families and communities come together during Kwanzaa to share a feast, honour their ancestors, and celebrate African and African-American culture.
Unveiling the Golden Candlestick's Magical Number of Candles
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The candleholder used in Kwanzaa celebrations is called a Kinara. It is a seven-branched candleholder that holds the seven candles representing the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa.
The Kwanzaa candles consist of three red candles, three green candles, and a single black candle in the centre.
The colours of the Kwanzaa candles represent the following:
- Red: Shango, the Yoruba god of fire, thunder, and lightning. It also represents the struggle for self-determination and freedom by people of colour.
- Green: The earth that sustains life and provides hope, divination, employment, and the fruits of the harvest.
- Black: The people, the source of life, representing hope, creativity, and faith.
