Candles

and Colored Lights

Often when people celebrate a happy occasion they use some kind of light - usually fire, fireworks, or candlelight. A long time ago candles were used to honor the different gods people believed in. (For example, the Romans honored Saturn the god of their crops, and the Druids honored their sun god, Balder). Candles are also used to celebrate new life, so they are used for birthdays, Easter, and Christmas (the birthday of Jesus Christ). Before electricity candles were used in windows and on Christmas trees, now electric lights are used as a safer way to decorate.

During Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday, people light eight candles in the menorah( a special candle holder) to celebrate a time that an oil lamp burned for eight days (even though there was only enough oil for it to burn for one day). During Kwanzaa the seven candles in the kinara (a special candle holder) are lit to celebrate the seven principles of the holiday. Christians use candles as a symbol of Christ who they call "the light of the world". They believe Christ came to show people how to live together peacefully.

Holiday candles decorate many houses in the United States. In Spain a candle is placed above the door on Christmas Eve. In Labrador children receive a candle stuck in a turnip. In many countries a candle is lit each of the four Sundays before Christmas, this time is called Advent.

This page was created for

Ross Elementary School

Last updated: 12/8/05