
In Disney's Encanto, the magical candle is a central plot point. The candle, also known as Alma's Candle, is always lit and contains the miracle that blessed the Madrigal family and their house with magic. The candle was originally the wedding candle of Pedro and Alma Madrigal. After Pedro's death, his love for his family and his sacrifice to protect them imbued the candle with magic. The candle's flame flickered and disappeared as the magic in Encanto waned, and it ultimately disappeared when Abuela and Mirabel argued, causing the house to crumble. The candle's disappearance left the family without their gifts and protection. While the candle does not physically return, the magic is restored, and Mirabel, who never received a magical gift, becomes the key to saving Encanto.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The candle's disappearance | Caused by the tension between Mirabel and her grandmother |
| The candle's return | The family's harmony is restored |
| The candle's power | The candle is the origin of the magic in the film |
| The candle's symbolism | The candle represents Abuela Alma and Abuelo Pedro's love for their family |
| The candle's role in the plot | The candle serves as a bridge between the magical and physical worlds |
| The candle's connection to Mirabel | Mirabel may have become the candle or absorbed its power |
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What You'll Learn

The candle's disappearance
As the film progresses, the candle's flame begins to flicker, signifying a disturbance in the family's harmony. The candle is deeply connected to the emotional state of Mirabel, the only family member without a magical gift. When Mirabel feels devastated and excluded from her family, cracks appear in the house, and the candle's flame flickers. However, when she bonds with her sister or experiences positive emotions, the candle shines brightly.
Devastated by her role in the destruction, Mirabel flees, and Abuela follows her to the place where she first received the candle and lost her husband. Here, Abuela realizes her mistakes and acknowledges that her fear of losing the magic caused her to forget the true reason they were blessed with it. The magic returns to the family, but it is implied that it now resides within Mirabel, making her the new source of power and the key to saving the Encanto.
While the candle itself does not reappear, the magic it represented is transferred to Mirabel, who becomes the embodiment of the family's harmony and unity. This interpretation suggests that the candle's disappearance symbolizes the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, with Mirabel taking on a central role in maintaining the family's magic and happiness.
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Mirabel's role in restoring the magic
The magic candle in Encanto is what gave the Madrigal family their superpowers and created their home, the enchanted Casita. When the candle's flame goes out, the magic disappears, and the house crumbles.
Mirabel is the only member of the Madrigal family without a magical gift. However, she has a strong affinity with the Casa Madrigal, and the house responds to her prompts and helps with her daily routine. She is also the first person to notice the magic's disappearance and embarks on a journey to save it, uncovering hidden family secrets.
At the film's climax, during an emotional conflict between Mirabel and her grandmother, Abuela Alma, the Casita collapses. Mirabel risks her life by rushing inside the crumbling building to try and save the magic candle. However, the flame goes out, and the magic disappears.
Despite not having any powers, Mirabel plays a crucial role in restoring the magic. After the Casita is rebuilt, she adds a doorknob to the front door, which her family made for her. This act restores the magic to the Encanto and gives rise to a new source of magic, restoring the gifts of the Madrigals. The new magic is different from the previous one, with the colour changing from gold to the rainbow, symbolising Mirabel's love for her family.
Some fans have also theorised that Mirabel herself became the candle or the embodiment of its power. This theory suggests that when the candle's flame went out, the magic was absorbed by Mirabel and that she was able to transfer it back to the doorknob. This theory is supported by the observation that the candle, Casita, and gifts react to Mirabel's emotional state. For example, when Mirabel is emotionally devastated and feels separate from her family, cracks appear in the Casita. On the other hand, when she bonds with her sister and they hug, the candle shines brightly.
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The candle's origins
The origins of the candle in Encanto are steeped in mystery and magic. The candle first appears in the film when Abuela Alma, the matriarch of the Madrigal family, receives it after a tragic event. Alma, along with her three children, was fleeing her home in search of a better life when her husband, Pedro, was killed. It is implied that Pedro's sacrifice and Alma's deep love for her family imbued the candle with magical properties. The candle is always lit and becomes a vessel for the miracle that grants the Madrigals their powers and creates their enchanted house, Casita.
The candle is not just a source of magic but also a symbol of hope and guidance for the family. It is said to have helped Alma and Pedro lead their people to safety during their treacherous journey. The candle's flame flickers and dims at times, signifying that the magic is wavering or affected by the emotions of the family members, particularly Mirabel, who seems to have a strong connection to it.
Some viewers have speculated that Mirabel herself may have become the embodiment of the candle's magic. While she does not receive a magical gift like the rest of her family, she plays a crucial role in restoring the magic after it disappears due to the strain and disharmony within the family. It is suggested that the candle's power transferred to Mirabel, making her the key to saving the Encanto and ensuring the magic's return.
The candle's disappearance and the subsequent restoration of harmony within the family signify a shift from relying solely on the candle as the source of magic to recognizing the inherent power within themselves as a family. The candle may have originated from a tragic loss and a wish for protection, but it ultimately leads the Madrigals to discover their collective strength and the true source of their magic—their love and unity as a family.
While the exact origins of the candle's magic remain unexplained, its role in the film is significant, serving as a catalyst for the Madrigals to embrace their unique gifts and find their place within the enchanting world of Encanto.
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The candle's connection to Mirabel
The Miracle Candle, also known as Alma's Candle, is a vessel that contains the miracle that blessed the Madrigal family and their house with magic. The candle was originally the wedding candle of Pedro and Alma Madrigal. The miracle was born from Pedro's sacrifice and Alma's unconditional love for her family.
The candle's magic is connected to Abuela's love, and the flame wavers as a result of her reaction to Mirabel's being denied a gift. When Mirabel is emotionally devastated and feels separate from her family, the cracks in the house start to appear. When she is freaked out about the prophecy at dinner, cracks appear, and her relatives' powers start acting up. When she bonds with her sister, and they hug, the candle shines brighter than ever. When Mirabel and Abuela are fighting, and her grandmother is singling her out, Mirabel's emotions pour out, and that's when the house is destroyed.
Some viewers have theorized that Mirabel became the candle. They believe that when Mirabel's door dissolved, it signified her connection to the candle, and instead of being just a recipient of a gift, she became the gift. She became the magic, so her door was absorbed into the whole house. This theory is supported by observations about the candle and the house being affected by her moods.
Another theory suggests that Mirabel is the key to saving the Encanto, as the only magic left from the candle now resides in her. If Mirabel were to leave Encanto, the magic would leave with her. However, this does not mean that Mirabel is magical or has access to the magic. It simply means that she has the power to end or return the Encanto.
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The candle's future
On the other hand, some fans speculate that the magic may have moved on to a new inanimate object, such as a doorknob. This theory suggests that the candle was important to Abuela Alma because it helped her and her late husband, Abuelo Pedro, guide their people to safety. The object held symbolic value, and its power may have been transferred to another item of significance.
While the future of the candle itself remains a mystery, what is clear is that Mirabel plays a crucial role in restoring harmony within the family and bringing back their magic. She is deemed special, with or without powers, and her ability to unite the family is what truly matters in the end.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle's location at the end of Encanto is unknown. However, it is presumed that the candle's magic now resides in Mirabel.
The candle is a source of magic and protection for the Madrigal family. It was originally a wedding candle belonging to Alma and Pedro Madrigal. After Pedro's death, his love for his family and his sacrifice to protect them imbued the candle with magic.
It is unclear why Mirabel did not receive a gift. One theory suggests that by excluding Mirabel, the spirit behind the candle planted the seed of chaos, which Uncle Bruno saw in his visions.
The candle's magic disappears during an argument between Mirabel and her grandmother, Abuela. However, the magic is restored after Abuela and Mirabel reconcile, and the family is reunited.











































