An Occassion For Candles, Candles For All Occasions

The John Hughes film Sixteen Candles was THE film of my early teens. I couldn't help but cheer on Molly Ringwald's character, Samantha, as she went through a non-birthday birthday until, finally, she was able to blow out her sixteen candles in the most unexpectedly welcome of ways. To me, that candle blowing scene was more than just a cute wrap up to a cute movie. It symbolized hope, a future, a celebration - even if it was just Samantha and her ultimate crush, Jake Ryan.

For hundreds of years, we've used candles to mark birthdays, rituals and religious celebrations. They've been powerful media in film, television, art and literature with they're mere presence communicating a myriad of messages. They permeate our lives and tell us that these special occasions mean something and that they would not be the same without candles.

Happy Birthday to You!

Just like in the movie Sixteen Candles, blowing out the candles on your cake is the highlight of any birthday celebration, big or small. It's interesting how what was once a trial by fire, a test to see how strong you've grown as you age, has now become a herald to mark the passing of the old year and the start of the new. As a child, I used to be very particular about how I blew out my candles: there was the wish, then the single breath, then blowing out every single one. I felt that my wish just wouldn't come true if I missed any flame!

Around the globe, most people now celebrate their birthdays this way, give or take a few local traditions. However, no one can really tell us when the practice started, only that it became more popular when both birthday cakes and the Birthday Song became fashionable sometime in the 1900s.

Best Wishes!

Aside from birthdays, candles now play an important role in weddings. I was at a friend's wedding recently and saw candles in almost every part of the ritual. It was part of the entrance procession of the officiant, wedding entourage and the bride. It was present at the altar and a unity candle ritual was used during the wedding vows to symbolize the couple's commitment to one another. Apparently, the unity candle has its origins in Wiccan practices. However, these days, they've been gaining acceptance in Christian weddings. In Jewish weddings, candles, symbolizing joy, are carried by the bride and groom's escorts to the wedding canopy.

Happy (or Blessed) Holidays!

At many religious holiday celebrations around the world, candles take center stage. They have come to symbolize so many things for so many people from every creed and culture.

Christmas

The Advent Wreath is an evergreen wreath that acts as holder for 4 candles. In the Roman Catholic Church, these candles are usually three violet colored ones and one rose. Protestant churches usually make use of four red candles. Some variations of the Advent Wreath have an additional white candle in the center. Each element of the wreath symbolizes the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. The wreath represents eternity while each candle represents each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas as the faithful wait in joyful anticipation. The additional white candle in the center represents Jesus Christ himself. The Advent Wreath candles are either lit during the four remaining Sunday services or masses until Christmas, or at family homes.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday which is also known as the Festival of Lights. It is an eight-day holiday which commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Holy Temple in Jerusalem around the 2nd century BCE. During the eight nights of Hanukkah, the lights of a special candelabrum, called the menorah, are lit from left to right, accompanied by special blessings and, often, a family meal. The number of lights lit is increased by one as the nights of Hanukkah progress. An additional light called a shamash, usually positioned separately from the other eight, is also lit each night and is commonly used to light the other flames. The menorah is meant to be seen from the outside of a home, reminding the passers-by of the true meaning of the holiday.

The Sabbath

Special mention here must be made about the presence of candles during the Jewish observance of the Sabbath. To those who observe it, the Sabbath, beginning at sunset of the sixth day of the week (Friday) and ending on sunset of the seventh day, is a precious gift from the Most High - a day of rest, spiritual enrichment and inner reflection. To commence the Sabbath, candles are lit and special prayers are said. This responsibility usually falls on the oldest woman of the home. After the candles are lit the person saying the prayer covers her eyes, so as not to see the light.

Buddhist Lent & Candle Festival

Little know to people in the Western world are the practices of Buddhism. In Thailand, where over 90% of the population adheres to this religion, Buddhist practices and observances impact daily lives and national holidays. The Candle Festival marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent, celebrated sometime in July. On the day before Buddhist Lent, people young and old dress up to parade elaborately designed and sculpted candles, exhbiting the strength, unity and Buddhist piety of the community. The candles are offered at the temples to serve as illumination for the monks in the coming days. Afterwards, there will be feasting, music, dancing and even a beauty contest to select "Miss Candle!" The day after Candle Festival commences a three-month period of lent wherein Buddhist monks are required to stay only inside their temples, except for extreme emergencies. These monks will continually meditate and contemplate.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. During this time, African American communities come together to celebrate, feast and commemorate important events in their history. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 till New Years Day, January 1. A new candle is lit on each day of Kwanzaa to represent each of the principles called Nguzo Saba or, simply, Seven Principles. These candles are placed in special candle holders called the kinara.

Keep the flame alive!

There are many more occasions around the globe where candles are used. For instance, during Holy Week, All Souls and All Saints Days, during the Scandinavian St. Lucy's Day and in many local rituals and observances in cultures vast or small. Truly, the candle has come to symbolize so much for so many. Just like in Sixteen Candles, they can represent hope just as much as remembrance. Candles connect people with their faith, their beliefs, their cultures and their community. And, for as long as a candle is burning, it says something to us, about what it means to be on this planet.

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