What is a Candle Holder Ceremonial Term?

Many cultures participate in ceremonies to commemorate important occasions. These ceremonies often call for ritual candle holders to be used to celebrate and remember special times. The names and meanings of these candle holders vary across a wide array of customs, religions and holidays.

Common Use

Modern candles are often used for decoration or aromatherapy.

A candle holder is used to hold one or more candles. Before electricity was invented, candles and candle holders were needed for everyday use, especially at night. However, the electric lighting throughout modern homes makes using candle holders unnecessary for lighting purposes. Despite modern technology, candles are still essential for ceremonial purposes.

Yule Log

Pagans and Wiccans use earthly materials to celebrate Yule.

Dec. 21 marks Yule, the Wiccan and Pagan religious holiday held around Christmas. In Paganism, Yule symbolizes the cycle of life, death and rebirth. In Wicca, Yule marks the passage of the dark half of the year to the light half, in other words, the change from the fall and winter seasons to the spring and summer months. The Yule log is the candle holder used to celebrate this event. The Yule log holds three candles. Combinations of red, green, white, gold and black candles are placed in the three drilled holes in the top of the log. Different arrangements of candles can represent the Sun God, the Goddess or seasons. All three candles are lit, and the Yule log burns through the night to welcome the new dawn and change of season or life cycle.

Hanukkah

In the U.S., it is common to exchange presents during Hanukkah.

Hanukkah menorah celebrates the rededication of the temple after the successful Jewish rebellion against the Syrians. Before the rebellion, the King of Syria outlawed Jewish worship. After they defeated the Syrians, the Jews went to the desecrated Jewish temple and began to cleanse it. The Jews celebrated the cleansing with an eight-day festival.

A menorah holds nine candles, eight candles and a center candle, or shamash, that usually lights the other eight. Hanukkah lights are meant to brighten the outside view of the house so passersby are reminded of the holiday. Menorahs are often placed near a noticeable window or door. Candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from the left to the right side of the candle.

Kinara

According to Kwanzaa's principles, red represents the struggle of African-Americans.

The Kinara is is Swahili for candle holder and has been used in Kwanzaa celebrations since the holiday’s creation in 1966. The Kinara holds seven candles. Three red candles are placed on the left, three green ones on the right and a single black candle is placed in the center. The ceremony of lighting the Kinara is similar to the lightning of the Menorah during Hannukah. Kwanzaa was created to remind African-Americans of their African roots, encourage cultural and community bonding and to present and encourage participation in Nguzo Saba or the Seven Principles. Each day represents a principle to be commemorated when a candle is lit on the Kinara each day.

Jul-leuchter

Cut-outs of Hagal runes are displayed on the Jul-leuchter.

The Jul-leuchter is an earthenware candle holder with shapes of hearts and runes cut into all sides. Many people of Germanic and European descent honor their ancient heritage by lighting the Jul-leuchter throughout certain times of the year. The year is divided into six periods celebrated with festivals: Ostara-fest, Midsummer-fest, Harvest-fest, Winternights-fest, Jul-fest and Disting-fest. During these times, festivities began, lore is recounted and the Jul-leuchter is lit with either one or two candles to honor the passing of time.

References

• Origins of Kwanzaa
• Lighting the Menorah
• Chanukah Holiday
• History and Ritual Use of the Jul-leuchter
• History of Yule

Resources

• Yule Lore