Candles have been used for spiritual practices for centuries and are believed to hold symbolic meanings. The color of a candle is thought to enhance its spiritual properties, each color representing different energies and intentions. Understanding the spiritual candle color meanings can help individuals choose the right color to align with their desired purpose. White candles are commonly associated with purity, clarity, and spirituality. They are often used in meditation and prayer to enhance focus and create a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Red candles represent passion, courage, and strength.
Spiritual candle color meanings
Cool and Calming: Blue can be strong and steadfast or light and dutiful. It is associated it with male energy. SCENT: Hints of Sandalwood and Lavender Sage. USAGE: Sandalwood is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, eczema, and insomnia. It’s also an antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and good for relaxing.
Ruby Red (Courage & Determination)
Love and War: Red is hot. It's a strong color that conjures up a range of seemly conflicting emotions passionate love to violence and warfare. Red is cupid and the Devil all rolled up in one. Just depends how you are feeling. SCENT: Hints of Roses USAGE: Rose is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia, & menstrual pains. Also as an aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, & mental stimulation.
Hot Pink (Love & Light)
Cool and Calming: Pink is softer, less violent. Pink is the sweet side of red. SCENT: Hints of Sweet Candy, Sandalwood & Lavender USAGE: Meant to inspire love and grow with how the love makes you feel.
Forest Green (Prosperity, Healing & Growth)
Life and Renewal: Green is Life, abundance in nature; green signifies growth, renewal, health and environment. SCENT: Hints of Nag Champa USAGE: Nag Champa is commonly used for anti-aging, depression, acne, and impotence. It can also be used for memory stimulation. antibacterial, astringent.
Royal Purple (Personal Power & Ego Protection)
Royalty and spirituality: Purple is the color of royalty, associated with both nobility & spirituality . SCENT: Hints of Berrywood USAGE: Berrywood is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and overstimulated imagination.
Canary Yellow (Communication, Hope & Happiness)
Yellow is Sunshine: It is a warm color, denoting happiness and joy with communication clearly as to what you need. SCENT: Hints of Lemon Verbena USAGE: Lemon Verbena is commonly used for acne, astringent, muscle relaxation, and an anti-bacterial. It is refreshing and cleansing.
Pure White (Pure Simplicity & Goodness)
Ultimate Light: White is purity, cleanliness and innocence. The higher power within all of us. Trusting one's guts and first impressions. SCENT: Hints of Jasmine and Vanilla USAGE: Jasmine is commonly used for anxiety, frigidity, labor & menstrual pains.
Orange (Creativity & Energy)
Creativity: Red-orange color helps bring out the creative side of your personality. This color is strongly associated with sexual energy but creative energy brings passion which can lead you to creating something beautiful in your life. SCENT: Hints of Cranwood, Tangerine and Cinnamon USAGE: Orange is commonly used for constipation, headaches, indigestion, and insomnia. It can also be used as a muscle relaxer and soothing agent.
Lavender ( Devotion, Grace & Calmness)
Devotion, Grace: Lavender is a herb, color, fragrance & flower, representing devotion, grace and calmness; especially when dealing with large groups. SCENT: Hints of Lavender and Sage USAGE: Lavender is commonly used for anxiety, burns, insect repellent, insomnia, & pains. Also an analgesic, anti-bacterial, astringent, antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory.
Brown (Grounding, Centering & Practicality)
Ground, Centering and Responsibility: Duty, Responsibility, Structure and Connecting to your body's needs. SCENT: Hints of Eucalyptus and Lavender USAGE: Eucalyptus is commonly used to relieve exhaustion, elevate mood, and rejuvenates the spirit. It is also used in reducing symptoms of coughs, colds, and congestion and relieving muscle and joint pain. Lavender commonly used for anxiety, burns, insect repellent, insomnia, & pains. It is also an analgesic, anti-bacterial, astringent, antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory.
Prayer Candles and Their Color Meanings
“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and John’s brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light,” Matthew 17:1-2
The different candles within a church have various meanings. The Eternal Flame is a candle, or an oil lamp lit to signify the Lord’s presence within the tabernacle. Usually, it is in a red container suggesting the red Passion of Christ. The Paschal candle is a large candle that symbolizes the Paschal Mystery in the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ. Altar candles, votive candles, vigil candles all have places secured in the Church’s history.
Candles used in Church are white because of bleached beeswax. This represents the perfection of Christ (Matthew 17:2). With special permission, a priest can use tinted or gilt candles in rare situations. During Holy Week and funeral Masses, only pure, unbleached beeswax candles are used. This pure beeswax gives them a yellowish tint representing the unblemished purity of Christ.
Advent wreaths are a common sight in Catholic churches using vigil candles. Three purple and one pink candles are embedded in evergreen. The evergreen reminds us of John 6:40, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.” The tapered purple and pink vigil candles, from the Latin word vigila, remind us we are anxiously “awaiting” or “watching” (Matthew 25:1-13).
The circular Advent wreath goes back to ancient Germanic and Scandinavians who lit ceremonial fires in the dark, icy winter months to placate their gods and marshal in the springtime. Scandinavians would place their offerings in the shape of a wheel. They believed their god of light turned the globe on his wheel for the changing of the seasons. Catholics continued this practice as a reminder to remain hopeful in the gloomiest of months for the coming of Jesus Christ.
During the Middle Ages, Christian Germans would light white and red candles to show children when Christmas was coming. Each candle was lit on a Sunday leading up to Christmas. This is also where we get the traditional red and white decorations during Christmastime. It wasn’t until the late nineteenth century when America experienced vast German immigration the circular wreaths gained acceptance in the United States. The Church wanted to use this practice in celebration with their new parishioners, so they added a distinctive Catholic flair to the wreaths and changed the color of the candles from red and white to purple and pink.
The purple and pink colors have significance. The purple candle denotes the penance one should undertake during the Advent season. During Lent, we sometimes use more reddish-purple colors to indicate the blood of Christ and his Passion. The bluish-purple in the Advent wreath suggests the blue connected to the Mother of God.
The pink candle is a celebratory one. This candle is lit on Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin for “rejoicing.” We light this candle and the wreath is more than halfway lit, three instead of two, and signaling the overpowering of the Prince of Darkness by the Light of Christ (John 1:5). Sometimes there is a white candle in the middle signifying Christ (Revelation 1:14) and is lit on Christmas day.
There are many reasons why we have four candles in our Advent wreaths. The four can represent a thousand years each. This is the amount of time believed to be from Adam and Eve’s Original Sin to the birth of Jesus who saved us from it. Other accounts believe the first candle is representative of the patriarchs of the Church; the pope and the various archbishops throughout the Church. Next is another purple candle that denotes the prophets of the Old Testaments. The third is the candle for Saint John the Baptist who warned of Jesus’ coming which fitting because this is the candle that signifies the time where the light conquers the dark. The final candle, right before the white candle is lit, is our Blessed Mother who brought forth the Light into our world.
Catholic candles have significant meanings. The colors we use in Catholic churches remind us every time we enter how precious Jesus’ flame is. When we light a candle, we must remember our own lights and how we can overcome darkness by being a lantern in the night.
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Candle colours and their meanings in spiritual practice
The colour of the candle used for spiritual practice matters.
That’s according to sangoma and founder of Young Sangoma Empowerment Yolanda Dandala.
Mpho Letsholonyane was in conversation with Dandala on POWER Lunch on Tuesday.
Dandala says humans connect with candles because of its vibrations.
“We as human beings, we vibrate spiritually in all different energy centres in our bodies and today, I would like to introduce people to candle aligning to our chakras.
“Chakras are areas of energy that are aligned at the back of our spine.
“These are energy centres that keep you going every day,” Dandala explains.
A blue candle speaks to communication matter.
“The blue colour is a vibration of a throat chakra which speaks of communication, speaking, expressing, listening or perceiving and self-expression basically communication.
“If you would like to communicate something about your life in the universe, you need to use the vibration of a blue colour,” Dandala explains.
A white candle is associated with your crown chakra.
“It is your divine source of energy. It connects your above with your below. It is the middle man. It takes you there.
“Remember, we exist in two forms – physically and spiritual form. Our spiritual form is connected with the universe. Our physical form is connected to dimensions we are in right now, which is the physical form,” Dandala quips.
The other significant candle colours are orange, red and green.
“Our source of life comes from the womb. This is an energy field vibrating with an orange colour. This is where creativity is born, where emotions are centred. It is where you connect with our human lives and with yourself.”
A red candle is great for use when one is going through a rough patch.
“You know you are always advised to face your challenges head-on. This is a vibration that will help you face your challenges head-on,” Dandala explains.
A green candle is often associated with your heart.
“It’s for unconditional love and compassion.”
Red candles represent passion, courage, and strength. They are often used in rituals related to love, sex, and vitality. Red candles can also symbolize power and can be used to invoke assertiveness and determination.
Pink candles are associated with love, romance, and affection. They can be used in rituals or spells aimed at attracting love or enhancing existing relationships. Pink candles also symbolize compassion and can be used to promote self-love and healing. Orange candles are connected to creativity, enthusiasm, and inspiration. They can be used in rituals or meditations to enhance artistic abilities or to ignite motivation and excitement. Orange candles can also symbolize a connection to the spiritual realm and can be used for divination purposes. Yellow candles represent intellect, clarity of thought, and confidence. They are often used in rituals or meditation to enhance mental focus and concentration. Yellow candles can also symbolize joy and positivity and can be used to attract happiness and success. Green candles are associated with abundance, fertility, and prosperity. They are often used in rituals or spells aimed at attracting wealth and financial stability. Green candles can also symbolize growth and transformation and can be used to promote healing and balance. Blue candles represent tranquility, peace, and communication. They are often used in rituals or meditation to enhance spiritual communication or to promote relaxation and stress relief. Blue candles can also symbolize intuition and can be used for spiritual healing or psychic work. Purple candles are connected to spirituality, enlightenment, and psychic abilities. They are often used in rituals or meditation to enhance spiritual connections or to promote spiritual growth and transformation. Purple candles can also symbolize wisdom and can be used for divination and spiritual guidance. Black candles are associated with protection, banishing, and releasing negative energies. They are often used in rituals or spells aimed at dispelling negativity or breaking free from unwanted situations. Black candles can also symbolize transformation and can be used for shadow work and personal growth. Understanding the symbolic meanings behind the colors of spiritual candles can help individuals choose the right color to align with their intentions and goals. By incorporating candles into their spiritual practices, individuals can enhance their energy and create a sacred space for their rituals and meditations..
Reviews for "Enhancing Spiritual Connection: Unraveling the Meanings of Candle Colors"
1. John - 1-star rating - I was really disappointed with the information provided in "Spiritual candle color meanings". The explanations of the colors were vague and lacked depth. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance behind each color, but this book didn't offer much beyond the basic associations. It felt like a superficial overview rather than a comprehensive guide. I would not recommend this book to someone seeking in-depth knowledge on the subject.
2. Emily - 2-star rating - I found "Spiritual candle color meanings" to be quite lacking in substance. The explanations were too simplistic and didn't provide any real insights into the spiritual significance of each color. The book felt more like a compilation of general information that can easily be found through a quick internet search. I was hoping for a more thorough exploration of the topic, but this book fell short. It may be useful for beginners, but for someone seeking a deeper understanding, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
3. Sarah - 2-star rating - I was expecting a comprehensive guide on spiritual candle color meanings, but this book left me wanting more. The explanations given were too brief and didn't delve into the nuances and variations of each color's significance. I felt like I was reading a basic introduction rather than an in-depth exploration. While it may provide a starting point for those completely new to the topic, it lacks the depth and substance required for someone seeking a more detailed understanding. I regretfully cannot recommend this book for those seeking in-depth knowledge on the subject.
4. Michael - 1-star rating - "Spiritual candle color meanings" failed to live up to my expectations. The explanations were too simplistic and lacking in detail. I was hoping for a comprehensive guide that would provide me with a thorough understanding of the spiritual significance behind each candle color, but this book fell short. It felt like a regurgitation of basic information that I could easily find online. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and frustrated with this book. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the subject.
5. Lisa - 2-star rating - I was really looking forward to reading "Spiritual candle color meanings", as I am interested in exploring spirituality. However, I found the book to be quite underwhelming. The explanations provided for each candle color were shallow and lacked substance. I was hoping for a more in-depth analysis of the spiritual significance and symbolism behind each color, but this book failed to deliver. It felt more like a brief overview rather than a comprehensive guide. I would suggest looking for alternative resources if you're seeking a more detailed understanding of the subject.