Candle Symbolism In History, Books, Religion & Love

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FirefighterGarage » Candle Symbolism in History, Books, Religion & Love

About the Author: Hi! I'm Chris Hunt, a former firefighter from Orange County, California. After a work-related injury, I retired from the fire service. With 7+ years of hands-on experience and specialized knowledge of combustible materials, I have personally researched and compiled the information presented here.Please note that the content reflects my personal opinions and should not be considered professional advice. I do not guarantee the quality or performance of any products featured. Before using the site, please review the website’s Disclaimer and Terms and Conditions.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (without additional cost or expense to you).

Table of Contents

Candle Symbolism in Life
Final Thoughts

Candle symbolism has been present in history for eons. Candles appear everywhere, from Shakespeare to the Torah and Ancient Rome.

They exist in nearly every religion and cultural group, from Jewish Shabbat candles to Chinese fishing paper lanterns.

Coincidently, the ancient Romans came up with using beeswax to create candles.

Candle Symbolism in Life

Although we no longer need candles for practical purposes, we still use them during birthdays, mourning, and religious celebrations.

Candle symbolism

There’s an implicit use of candles because of their symbolism (what they represent), how they make us feel, or what they make us remember.

So, we decided to look at all the different meanings we ascribe to candles. We’ve collected examples from religion, literature, film, and popular culture to answer the question, what does a candle symbolize?

Our research suggests that the candle symbolism derives directly from their features, like soft light and warmth.

1. Romance

A way to develop a romantic atmosphere is to use candles. They cast a soft light over a room, and the flickering of the light creates colors and a sparkling effect. Many people find this effect comforting and calming.

Furthermore, modern candles let off soft scents and act as aphrodisiacs. Hence, a man hoping to woo a woman might prepare a “candle-lit dinner” to get her into a romantic mood.

This romantic effect is shown regularly in movies. When you see a couple eating or kissing under the light of a candle, you know the scene will most likely end in a passionate affair.

2. Comfort & Relaxation

Candles can create a comfortable and relaxing environment. Typically, you might light candles to relax while in the bath. Similarly, if you go for a massage or a spa retreat, you’ll likely find candles flickering in the corner.

Like in the romance example above, the softness of the light that candles cast creates a relaxing environment. In addition, the candles release a much warmer light than typical lightbulbs in a house. That warm light – much like the light of a campfire – creates a relaxing and comforting ambiance.

3. Hope, Faith, and Persistence

Candles can mean ongoing hope and faith.

The Olympic flame is a great sign of confidence in the world coming together.

“An old flame” refers to a love that burns after years of separation. And when someone goes missing, we often put candles on our porch as a ritual of hope that they will find their way home. So long as the candle remains burning, our faith is intact.

In Christianity, they use the Paschal Candle. They are large white candles that get lit during Easter services. The candle symbolism represents Christ’s resurrection. Christians usually decorate the candles with the cross and an image of Christ. In addition to pointing to Jesus’ resurrection and triumph over death, the Paschal candle stands for hope and new life.

In Hanukkah, lighting candles is a meaningful ceremony. It reminds those of the Jewish culture to have faith and be in God’s presence.

As a sign of faith and hope, the Orthodox faithful light candles before the Icons to symbolize God’s help. Their light goes to those who turn to Him and His saints with faith and prayers. Our gratitude for God is also evident in the burning candle.

4. Persistence

Similarly, a candlelight vigil might symbolize that a cause will continue in the face of adversity. Thus, this is a dual meaning of both remembrance and continuation, in a word, persistence.

This persistence is perhaps best represented in the candlelight vigil scene in the film Milk (2008). This movie commemorates the lives of Milk and Moscone, whom a homophobic gunman murdered:

As the crowd walks down the street holding their candles, the voice-over reads:

…so that the young child and the thousands just like him will have hope for a better life. Hope for a better tomorrow.

5. Guidance (Light in the Darkness)

It was Shakespeare who wrote:

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

As with many other situations, Shakespeare uses the candle to symbolize guidance in this quote. Another known author, Tolkien, puts Bilbo Baggins following the candlelight in a cave. His unique candle pierces the darkness and, while delicate and small, can cast away darkness and show us the path to happier times.

Candles, traditionally representing the divine, arose in ancient times. As the Greek gods gave fire to Prometheus for illumination and progress, some believe candles hold the gods’ gifts.

As a torch can help guide one’s way physically, a candle’s light represents the intellectual or religious guidance the light can provide.

6. Life (and Life after Death)

Religions are constantly using candles. But, perhaps the most iconic is the Jewish Menorah. The Menorah symbolizes the creation in seven days – where a candle represents each new day. Here, you can interpret the lights as the lord alighting our world and souls.

Similarly, people light candles in memory of people who have died. Likewise, we place candles at vigils and light candles for deceased loved ones in church. Here, the candle can represent the continuation of life after death. The candle’s light indicates that the spirit’s life has not died, and only the physical body has perished.

In Christianity, they place four candles on the coffin to make a cross to show the dead person was a Christian. Afterward, the faithful stand with lit candles during the Funeral and Memorial services. This act symbolizes the death of the deceased and their desire for him to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Did you know? Candles cause 7,900 residential fires per year!

Candles cause 7,900 residential fires every year in the United States. Unfortunately, this leads to an average of 80 deaths yearly from candle fires. Here at Firefighter Garage, we’ve set out to help everyone make their homes as safe as possible from fires.

You can do some simple things right now to ensure everything is secure. Start by placing smoke detectors around your home, keeping a fire extinguisher handy, and having a fire blanket in your kitchen.

Further Reading: 14 Best Candle Fire Safety Tips

Final Thoughts

Candle symbolism is a clear example that the whole is more than the sum of its parts.

Physically, a candle is nothing more than wax and wick.

However, as we’ve discovered, there is something peculiar and symbolic about a solitary flame and its aura of light. It is deeply rooted in almost every religion, spiritual creed, or nationality.

They seem to tap into something spiritual within us. There are times of sadness and celebration – such as birthday parties, Christmas, and weddings. They’re also for romance, relaxation, and remembrance. And it seems we generally look to candles with a positive association.