Popular Ceremonial Candles
Popular ceremonial candles, such as white unity candles, are used by couples who want to pledge their unity to each other. Pledging unity, or oneness, does not depend on religious views. Brides and grooms who are not particularly religious still want to make pledges to each other during their wedding ceremonies. The unity candle is lit with two tapered candles by both the bride and groom as a symbol of their intentions to center their marriage on the concept of oneness. Some couples choose special music to play while they are lighting their ceremonial unity candles.
Religious uses for ceremonial candles
The Easter Vigil service in the Roman Catholic church has a similar ceremony as that of the unity candle. This ceremony predates the usage of the unity candle by a number of years. The congregants sit in a darkened church holding unlit candles that are passed out before the service begins. The person sitting at the beginning of the row receives light from another candle, then lights the next person's candle, and this procedure continues until the entire church is ablaze with candles. The message of unity among believers is similar to the unity candle used at some wedding ceremonies.
Chanukah or the Festival of Lights
Jewish people light special Chanukah, or Hanukkah candles on Chanukah menorahs, or candle holders, during the eight nights of Chanukah. The shamash candle sits at the top of the menorah and is the first candle that is lit. Then, a person lights the candle representing the first night of Chanukah with the shamash candle. An additional candle is lit every night with the shamash candle, until all eight candles are lit. Family members take turns lighting the Chanukah candles, and prayers are said in unity. The holiday of Chanukah is a holiday of many meanings, and the unity among persons who light the candles and say the prayers is unmistakable.
Ceremonial candles are used in various types of services, both religious and non-religious all over the world. The candle is a symbol of unity for all to share.