Ben Carter
In various religions, candles are placed on altars during religious ceremonies. For example, in the Catholic Church, altar candles are required to be placed on or beside the altar during the celebration of Mass. In Taoism, a central lamp on the altar represents the Tao, while two candles to the left and right represent Yin and Yang. In Paganism, altar candles are also used, and some believe that blowing out a candle is rude as it extinguishes a soul. If a candle keeps going out, it could be due to several reasons, such as an uneven wick, excess wax, or a draught. To prevent this, ensure the wick is trimmed to the ideal length of 3-5 mm, remove excess wax, and place the candle in a draught-free area.
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What You'll Learn
- In some religions, candles are essential and if they go out, the ceremony may have to be abandoned or restarted
- A candle blown out is sometimes seen as a soul extinguished
- A candle may keep going out due to a draught
- A candle with a flooded wick may need excess wax removed
- A candle should be lit with a lighter or match, not by blowing or with puffed cheeks
In some religions, candles are essential and if they go out, the ceremony may have to be abandoned or restarted
In the Catholic Church, candles are considered essential for the celebration of Mass. It is not permitted to begin Mass before the candles are lit, nor are they to be extinguished until the end of Mass. If the candles go out before the Consecration and cannot be relit, Mass should be discontinued. Some authors say that if the candles can be relit within 15 minutes, the celebrant should interrupt Mass for this time. However, some writers maintain that even if the candles are relit within this time, Mass should be started again from the beginning.
In the Lutheran tradition, it is customary to have two single beeswax candles set near the extremities of the altar. The Epistle candle is lit first, and the Gospel candle last; they are extinguished in reverse order.
In Taoist religion, a central lamp on the altar represents the Tao, while two candles to the left and right represent Yin and Yang.
The number and type of candles used in religious ceremonies vary across different religions and denominations. For example, in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, candles are required to be placed on or beside the altar for the celebration of Mass, and these candles are traditionally made of beeswax.
There are several reasons why a candle may keep going out. One common cause is an issue with the wick, such as an incorrect wick length, flooding of the wick due to excess wax, or a manufacturing error. Another reason could be external factors such as a draught or air movement that destabilizes the flame.
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A candle blown out is sometimes seen as a soul extinguished
A candle is a powerful symbol in many spiritual traditions. It is used in rituals and ceremonies to represent illumination in the dark, for both the physical world and the spiritual realm. The open flame is believed to be an avenue for communication with other realms of existence, transmitting chants, prayers, and intentions to the divine.
In various spiritual traditions, blowing out a candle is seen as a way to send messages or intentions to the divine. The act of extinguishing the candle flame represents the release of energy or prayers into the universe, allowing them to be heard and answered by higher forces. For some, it symbolizes the presence of spirits or angels, with the blowing out of the candle signifying their interaction with the physical world.
In Native American spirituality, blowing out a candle is believed to guide spirits and ancestors as they visit the physical realm. The extinguished flame acts as a beacon, awakening the connection with the divine and opening pathways for spiritual growth. This act of blowing out a candle is also seen as a form of purification or cleansing, releasing negative energies and creating a space of renewal and spiritual clarity.
The interpretation of a candle blowing out can vary. Some believe that it indicates the presence of a stronger opposing force that has put an end to the working of a spell. It could also mean that the objective of the spell has already been attained. In other cases, a candle that keeps going out may indicate that your intentions are still being considered by your spirits, and there is still work to be done.
The method of extinguishing a candle is also significant in some traditions. In Hindu and Buddhist thought, breath is considered impure, so practitioners wave, snip, or snuff out the candle instead of blowing it out.
The interpretation of a candle blowing out on an altar can vary depending on cultural and spiritual beliefs. While some see it as a way to communicate with the divine, others may interpret it as a sign of purification or a representation of the transient nature of life.
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A candle may keep going out due to a draught
Another reason your candle may keep going out is due to the length of the wick. If the wick is too long, it will melt; if it is too short, it may not be able to burn the wax. The ideal wick length is about 3-5 mm. To fix this, trim the wick with a trimmer before each lighting.
Sometimes, the wax may dissolve unevenly and flood the wick, causing the candle to go out as the wick is no longer able to burn. To prevent this, gently remove the excess liquid wax with a spoon or chopstick. This phenomenon is known as "tunneling".
Additionally, the type of wick can also play a role in your candle staying lit. Wooden wicks, for example, burn differently and require more time to ignite. Ensure that the wick is well-trimmed and light it patiently for a few seconds.
Finally, factors such as wax content, wick size, and drafts can all contribute to a candle burning faster and dripping. These variables can make it challenging to interpret the spiritual significance of candle, wax, or flame behaviour.
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A candle with a flooded wick may need excess wax removed
A flooded candle wick is often caused by the wick being too short. This can happen when the wick burns too quickly and drowns in its wax pool, or when the wick is trimmed too short. To fix this, first soften the wax by melting it with a heat gun, blow dryer, or long wand candle lighter. Hold the heat source over the candle wick to melt the surrounding wax.
Next, pour out some of the melted wax until there is about ⅛ to ¼ inch of wick above the surface. You can also use a paper towel to dab and soak up the excess wax. Allow the wax to cool, then light your candle again. Reset the candle's "memory" by allowing it to evenly melt the entire top layer of wax. This will prevent the candle from tunneling, which can cause the wick to become buried again.
Tunneling occurs when only a small area of wax around the wick melts, creating a small hole instead of allowing the entire surface of the wax to melt evenly. This can be caused by an incorrectly sized wick or by not burning the candle long enough during its first lighting. To fix tunneling, melt the entire candle surface with a hair dryer or aluminum foil, or scoop out the unmelted wax with a spoon until it is level with the middle part that melts.
By following these steps, you can address the issue of a flooded wick and prevent your candle from tunneling, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable burn.
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A candle should be lit with a lighter or match, not by blowing or with puffed cheeks
A candle on an altar should be lit with a match or a lighter, and not blown out with one's breath. In Hindu and Buddhist thought, breath is considered impure, and so candles are extinguished by waving, snipping, or snuffing out the light. Some pagans also believe that blowing out a candle extinguishes a soul, and so they avoid doing so. Instead, they pinch the wick to snuff it out, sometimes licking their fingers first to avoid pain.
When lighting a candle, it is important to use long matches or a long-reach lighter to avoid igniting loose clothing or hair. Candles should never be left unattended and should be kept away from flammable objects, children, and pets. Before burning, the wick should be trimmed to 1/4 inch to prevent uneven burning, dripping, or flaring. It is also important to keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings, matches, and debris.
If you do not have a lighter or matches, there are several alternative ways to light a candle. You can use a lit taper candle to light other candles. You can also use a heated burner, toaster, oven, or space heater, although caution is advised when using heating elements. A creative option is to use a single strand of spaghetti, which can be ignited by tapping one end to a heated burner.
It is considered rude in some traditions to blow out altar candles. However, it is generally accepted to say a word of thanks to the deity before extinguishing the candle. Some people may also bring a picture of their deity to bed and place it on their bedside table if they are unable to leave the candle burning through the night.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be several reasons for this. It could be due to a draught, a wick that is too short or too long, or excess wax flooding the wick.
Move the candle to a place free of air movement, for example, away from the window.
Ensure the wick is well-trimmed and the ideal length of 3-5mm. For wooden wicks, be patient and light it for a few seconds.
Gently remove the excess liquid wax with a spoon or chopstick.
It is not considered rude to blow out altar candles in paganism. However, in Hindu and Buddhist thought, breath is considered impure, so some prefer to wave, snip, or snuff out the light.
