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Candles In Religious Celebration
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Published: September 27, 2006
Throughout history, a myriad of religions- ranging from Judaism and Christianity to Buddhism and Islam- have utilized candles as an integral part of holy life.
The word ceremony has the Latin origin cemonius, meaning "the person who carries a wax candle at public rituals." Most religions in the world, from popular Christianity to the Nigerian-Catholic fusion Santeria, incorporate some sort of candle-lighting ceremony as a means of worship.
Originally viewed as a pagan means of worship, early Christianity forbade the use of candles in religious ceremonies until about the third century. Today, they are an integral part of Christian worship, creating an unmistakable ambiance by combining symbolism and decoration.
Representing the presence of God, candles are placed at the priest's alter and lit during mass. Votive candles, which stems from the Latin root votum meaning prayer, promise or vow, sit to the side of the alter and are lit for individual prayers. These candles are some of the most common symbols of Christian religion, representing hope and a visual appeal for God's mercy.
Traditionally, candles adorned Christmas trees. Though replaced by fire-safe light bulbs, candles are still utilized in advent wreaths, counting the weeks until Christmas occurs. In Scandinavia, St. Lucia Day precedes Christmas, marking the beginning of the advent. During this Dec. 13 celebration, a girl wears a crown consisting of a wreath and lit candles, leading a procession of candle-wielding females who sing praises to Christian martyr St. Lucy. The candles symbolize the fire which refused to die from the saint, who was said to still speak after her throat was slit and still see after her eyes were gouged.
In America, many African Americans celebrate another holiday corresponding with Christmastime: Kwanza. Kwanza is a holiday observing African heritage. During the celebrations, a candelabrum called a kinaras is lit. Its multifaceted shape is meant to symbolize the vast root structure African Americans have connecting them to their original homeland.
In Judaism, candles also have a prominent holiday importance. A menorah is a special candelabrum used to commemorate each of the eight nights of the Hanukah celebration. It is said to symbolize the burning bush God used to talk to his faithful follower Moses. This December celebration often is referred to as the Festival of Lights.
Another Jewish special event characterized by the use of candles is Shabbat. This weekly observance commemorates the day God rested after creating the world. To begin this ceremony, the woman of the household lights two candles late Friday afternoon. These two candles represent zachor, the religious remembrance of creation, and shamor, the proper observance of this weekly holiday, which includes abstaining from certain types of work.
Similarly, Buddhists celebrate the onset of their three-month lent with a celebration prompting aesthetic practices like giving up meat, alcohol and smoking. Carved days before the celebration, giant candles representing certain temples and districts are paraded through the streets.
Hindu prince Gautama Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism once stated Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. In this analogy, candles symbolize the light human beings possess and share with one another through joyous encounters. Modern Buddhists utilize candles in their celebrations to commemorate this shared ideal.
In the Muslim faith, some condemn candle-lighting ceremonies as idolatry. Some sects, however, utilize the spiritual mechanisms in certain celebrations, such as the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. During these elaborate birthday festivities, cities are illuminated with colorful lights and candles.
In neo-pagan religions, such as Wicca, candles play an irreplaceable role as representations of gods and goddesses. Placed in the four corners of a ritual circle, the candles symbolize the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. Similarly, in the voodoo religion, ceremonies begin with the lighting of a candle representing a spirit's presence, and end when the candle is extinguished.
Regardless of the belief, candles play a distinct role in symbolizing holy deities during sacred ceremonies for various religions. Despite the differences of opinion between these religions and their corresponding cultures, the moment the match meets the candle's wick, a common sense of peace is felt.
The word ceremony has the Latin origin cemonius, meaning "the person who carries a wax candle at public rituals." Most religions in the world, from popular Christianity to the Nigerian-Catholic fusion Santeria, incorporate some sort of candle-lighting ceremony as a means of worship.
Originally viewed as a pagan means of worship, early Christianity forbade the use of candles in religious ceremonies until about the third century. Today, they are an integral part of Christian worship, creating an unmistakable ambiance by combining symbolism and decoration.
Representing the presence of God, candles are placed at the priest's alter and lit during mass. Votive candles, which stems from the Latin root votum meaning prayer, promise or vow, sit to the side of the alter and are lit for individual prayers. These candles are some of the most common symbols of Christian religion, representing hope and a visual appeal for God's mercy.
Traditionally, candles adorned Christmas trees. Though replaced by fire-safe light bulbs, candles are still utilized in advent wreaths, counting the weeks until Christmas occurs. In Scandinavia, St. Lucia Day precedes Christmas, marking the beginning of the advent. During this Dec. 13 celebration, a girl wears a crown consisting of a wreath and lit candles, leading a procession of candle-wielding females who sing praises to Christian martyr St. Lucy. The candles symbolize the fire which refused to die from the saint, who was said to still speak after her throat was slit and still see after her eyes were gouged.
In America, many African Americans celebrate another holiday corresponding with Christmastime: Kwanza. Kwanza is a holiday observing African heritage. During the celebrations, a candelabrum called a kinaras is lit. Its multifaceted shape is meant to symbolize the vast root structure African Americans have connecting them to their original homeland.
In Judaism, candles also have a prominent holiday importance. A menorah is a special candelabrum used to commemorate each of the eight nights of the Hanukah celebration. It is said to symbolize the burning bush God used to talk to his faithful follower Moses. This December celebration often is referred to as the Festival of Lights.
Another Jewish special event characterized by the use of candles is Shabbat. This weekly observance commemorates the day God rested after creating the world. To begin this ceremony, the woman of the household lights two candles late Friday afternoon. These two candles represent zachor, the religious remembrance of creation, and shamor, the proper observance of this weekly holiday, which includes abstaining from certain types of work.
Similarly, Buddhists celebrate the onset of their three-month lent with a celebration prompting aesthetic practices like giving up meat, alcohol and smoking. Carved days before the celebration, giant candles representing certain temples and districts are paraded through the streets.
Hindu prince Gautama Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism once stated Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. In this analogy, candles symbolize the light human beings possess and share with one another through joyous encounters. Modern Buddhists utilize candles in their celebrations to commemorate this shared ideal.
In the Muslim faith, some condemn candle-lighting ceremonies as idolatry. Some sects, however, utilize the spiritual mechanisms in certain celebrations, such as the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. During these elaborate birthday festivities, cities are illuminated with colorful lights and candles.
In neo-pagan religions, such as Wicca, candles play an irreplaceable role as representations of gods and goddesses. Placed in the four corners of a ritual circle, the candles symbolize the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. Similarly, in the voodoo religion, ceremonies begin with the lighting of a candle representing a spirit's presence, and end when the candle is extinguished.
Regardless of the belief, candles play a distinct role in symbolizing holy deities during sacred ceremonies for various religions. Despite the differences of opinion between these religions and their corresponding cultures, the moment the match meets the candle's wick, a common sense of peace is felt.
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