Gold candle: symbolism, metallic finishes, uses and safety

How a candle becomes gold

A gold candle is not coloured like the others. Three methods coexist: wax tinted throughout in a warm yellow-beige, sometimes with a fine powder that catches the light; a metallic pigment (most often mica, a mineral powder) mixed into the wax; or a surface finish, paint or varnish applied to the candle. These finishes are decorative. They are not always designed to burn: if the flame reaches the paint, or if flakes come loose near the wick, the burning can become irregular.

Powders such as mica do not dissolve in wax; when added in excess to the mass, they can obstruct the wick. For a candle meant to burn, ask the maker or check the label to see whether the finish is designed for burning.

Traditional symbolism: gold, colour of the sun and the sacred

In many civilisations, gold embodies the sun and the divine because it does not tarnish. In ancient Egypt, it was thought to be the flesh of the gods; in alchemy and traditional astrology, gold corresponds to the Sun in the series of the seven classical metals and planets. It is also the colour of wealth and prestige: crowns, church gold, illuminated manuscripts.

In the tradition of wedding anniversaries, the golden wedding celebrates fifty years of marriage (see the page on stones and materials for wedding anniversaries). The golden colour is also used for end-of-year celebrations, New Year's Eve and weddings.

In rites

In the Roman Catholic liturgy, gold is not a colour of its own, but the rules allow it to be used for major feasts in place of white, red or green. It does not replace violet or black. In churches, the gold of candlesticks and vestments points to divine light. In other traditions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, gold or gilded objects accompany many items of worship.

Contemporary practices and correspondences

In modern esoteric tables, the gold candle is linked to the sun, success, abundance and celebration. Authors connect it, depending on the case, to the solar plexus, the crown chakra or the element fire. None of this can be verified; it is a symbolic language that one may adopt or not.

A note of honesty about the last one: goldstone is a manufactured glass, not a natural stone; its page explains the difference.

Choosing your shade of gold

Not all golds look alike. Bright yellow gold is very festive and goes well with red, fir green or black. Champagne or pale gold is more discreet, well suited to a wedding table or a beige and white decor. Aged or coppery golds give a warm and slightly antique look. If you want to combine several candles, stay within the same family of shades: a yellow gold beside a rose gold quickly looks out of tune.

How to use it

• End-of-year celebrations: Christmas table, New Year's Eve dinner.
• Weddings and anniversaries: table decoration, a gift for a golden wedding.
• Understated decor: gold goes well with black, white, fir green and burgundy.
• A gift: a gold candle in a jar or a candle cup is a simple present.

Choosing and using safely

• Surface finish: do not let the flame reach the paint or varnish. If flakes or glitter come loose, extinguish the candle and remove them.
• Holder and glass: a metal candleholder heats up: do not handle it bare-handed during or just after burning.
• Wick: trim it to about 6 mm before each lighting.
• General rules: never leave unattended, keep away from Christmas decorations (paper, garlands, dry tree), out of reach of children and animals, stop at about 1 cm of wax.

See also the overview guide to candle colours.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to candle colors.