Spiritual Candles in Religious Ceremony

Spiritual candles have always played a very important role in the religions of mankind. Even in ancient times, man has always associated the light from candles with spiritual longings. The Old Testament refers to candles as a symbol of spiritual light. In Psalm 18:28, it is written, “For thou wilt light my candles: The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.”

In the Catholic religion, spiritual candles serve as a symbol of joy and a sign of the presence of Jesus Christ at the altar. Another passage in the Bible that has encouraged the use of religious candles is in Leviticus, Chapter 6, Verse 12, “The fire is to be kept burning continuously on the altar, it must not go out.”

Candles have become almost mandatory at weddings and holidays, as well as funerals which are more often than not accompanied by the natural light provided by candles. On Candlemas day, an 11th century Christian holiday observed on February 2, religious candles are blessed and scripture is read describing candles as an expression of a Christian’s love for Christ. It is said to have originated back when Christians hid in the catacombs of Rome with lighted candles for spiritual consolation.

Christmas would certainly be quite a bit different without candles, such as: candles in the windows to light the coming of the Christ child on Christmas Eve, the Christmas candlelight service, and candles on the Christmas tree.

Candles have always played an important role for Jewish people as well. In the Jewish faith two or more candles are burned before the Sabbath or on the eve of a holiday. The candles are lit to symbolize the coming of a special day and should burn until the evening meal is finished. Candles lit on Sabbath eve are to remain lit until the next day. Tumbler candles are burned by Jewish families on an anniversary of the death of a close member of the family. Tumbler candles may also be burned on holidays such as Passover, Tabernacle Day or Yom Kippur. These candles are to burn for 24 hours when lit.

One of the most important candles in the Jewish religion is Chanukah candles. Chanukah candles resemble large birthday candles and are burned in sequence; one candle on the first day, two candles on the second day and so forth until eight candles are burned on the eighth day. The center candle is used to light the side candles.

References:

Candles That Earn, by Don Olsen, Peanut Butter Publishing, ISBN 0-89716-360-5
Candle Crafting, From an Art to a Science, By William Nussle,  A.S. Barnes & Company, ISBN: 0-498-07863-9