Guide to candle colours
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The traditional symbolism of each candle colour, the types of wax and the safety rules to follow before anything else.
CandleWhite candleThe white candle is the most widespread: light, purity and peace in the West, mourning in parts of Asia. Symbolism across traditions, waxes, care and safety rules.CandleRed candleThe red candle evokes love, passion and vitality, but also danger. China, Christian liturgy, popular traditions: meanings, differences, waxes and safety tips.CandlePink candleThe pink candle evokes tenderness, gentleness and friendship. It also has a liturgical place (Gaudete, Laetare). Meanings, the history of the colour, uses, scents and safety.CandleOrange candleThe orange candle evokes warmth, conviviality and autumn. Saffron of Hindu and Buddhist monks, the House of Orange, modern correspondences: meanings, uses, citrus scents, safety.CandleYellow candleThe yellow candle evokes the sun, joy and mental clarity, but also jealousy in some cultures. Natural or dyed beeswax, symbolism, uses and safety.CandleGreen candleThe green candle evokes nature, hope and renewal. Ordinary Time in the liturgy, Islamic Paradise, money and jealousy depending on the country: meanings, uses and safety.CandleBlue candleThe blue candle evokes calm, sky and water. The Virgin Mary, the nazar, mourning in Iran, blue Advent: meanings across cultures, a flame that stays yellow, uses and safety.CandlePurple candleThe purple candle evokes spirituality, dignity and penance. Ancient purple, Advent and Lent, bishops, modern correspondences: meaning, history, uses and safety.CandleBlack candleThe black candle evokes night, mourning, elegance and, often, unease. Meanings across cultures, common myths, uses, soot and the safety rules to know.CandleGold candleThe gold candle evokes the sun, celebration and wealth. Liturgical gold, golden wedding anniversaries, metallic finishes: meaning, how they are made, uses and precautions.CandleSilver candleThe silver candle evokes the Moon, frost and winter festivities. Alchemical silver, silver wedding anniversaries, metallic finishes: meaning, uses and safety tips.CandleBrown candleThe brown candle evokes earth, wood and autumn. Franciscan humility, stability, indulgent scents: meaning, natural brown wax, uses and safety.CandleCandle colours and their symbolismTwelve candle colours reviewed: what they mean across traditions (liturgy, cultures, folk magic), how to choose the wax and scents, and how to burn candles safely.
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice.