9 Spiritual Meanings of Candles: Symbolism and Powers

Today I will talk about the spiritual meaning and symbolism of candles.

Candles are a staple in many homes around the globe, for many different reasons. For some, they serve a religious purpose.

For others, it’s a spiritual connection or power that makes them so appealing.

They can be used to set a mood, make a room smell nice, and even warm food or drinks.

But have you ever considered the spiritual meanings of candles and the powers they have the ability to behold? 

Maybe it’s about time you started to consider them…?

Candles and spirituality

Good witches and bad witches use candles for magick, casting spells under their glow and using different colors for different moods or meanings. 

Candles are also used in places of worship, and in places of mourning.

When Princess Diana died, for example, the people of Great Britain, and even all over the globe, traveled to Buckingham Palace to pay their respects, lay some flowers, and light a candle. 

My Nan, may she rest in peace, would light a candle in front of a photo of her parents on their birthdays.

It is customary to light a candle for someone who has recently (or not) deceased, and some people believe this is to light the way and help them find the ‘other side‘. 

Spiritualists will also use candles to strengthen their connection with the spiritual realm.

Again, this can be seen in a similar way to recent death: as a way to light the way for the spirits to be able to see you. The flickering of the flame guides them to you, just as a moth is drawn to a flame. 

What do candles represent spiritually?

Candles can represent different things to different people, ways of life, cultures, and civilizations.

Many years ago, in the days before electricity (and even afterwards), people would see candles as a very simple thing: something to light up a dark space or place. 

You can actually take a spiritual meaning from this. When you light a candle, you are lighting up the space surrounding it and you.

This can be seen as finally seeing something that you weren’t seeing before, just like “seeing the light” is meant to be a sign of finally seeing the good side of something. There are other spiritual and emotional meanings though, of course. 

Color is often important when it comes to candles and their symbolism.

• Pink candles, for example, are symbolic of romance, fun, and passion. Not quite as deep and intense as red, which is also associated with anger; but not as innocent and simple as white. Something in-between. 

• Yellow candles, on the other hand, are linked to happiness, feeling full of energy, and spring/summer. They’re also great ‘social’ candles, so you should definitely light them if you want to get a good, sociable mood going at a party or gathering.

Symbolism of Candles

Candles are representative of fire for obvious reasons, which is an element of total transformation… and destruction.

It’s not all bad news, though. (Thankfully!)

There are many positive connotations behind candles – lighting them, letting them burn, and even just having them unlit around your home. 

Just think about the vast number of things that fire can do:

• Turn water into steam;
• Make meat and other foods safe for consumption;
• Make water safe to drink;
• Decimates property, the wilderness, and lives;
• Wards off predators in the wild;
• Warm us when we’re cold;
• Light up the surroundings.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Fire can turn hard metals into flowing liquids, and hard stone into soft goo.

It’s equal measures incredible and dangerous, but that’s what makes it so powerful and transformative. 

Spiritual Meaning of Candles

The color of your candle will be important as it will convey the tone and overall context of the message you’re trying to send. Some are positive colors, but others – as you might’ve guessed – are not so positive. 

Let’s take a closer look. 

White candle:

White candles, just like the color white, are linked to innocence, purity, and peace — but that’s not all.

Have you ever noticed the colors of the candles in spas or beauty treatment places?

They’re usually white.

That’s because white candles are also associated with serenity and inner peace. 

Red candle:

Let’s talk about the red candles.

Red is the color of the traditional heart, and blood, and Valentine’s Day, along with pink.

It is also a very passionate and sometimes angry color that has negative connotations.

Red car drivers, for example, were once thought to be some of the angriest drivers. 

Red candles are great candles to light on Valentine’s Day and other romantic occasions… But you might also want to add a couple of white candles in there, just to make sure the mood is peaceful and not angry. 

Yellow candle:

As previously mentioned, the yellow color is a positive color, with mostly happy and positive connotations.

Yellow candles can also be used if you’re in need of brain-boosting, too. 

Lighting yellow candles as you learn something new can help you to retain it better, and there’s actually a little bit of almost-science behind it, too. 

According to some studies, yellow fruits and vegetables can help to improve brain health and function and lowering the risks of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s by reducing the decline of cognitive function. 

Black candle:

You might think that black is a negative candle, with negative and miserable energies, but that’s not actually the case.

In magick, black candles are lit to strengthen the connection with the often-dark spiritual world, but it’s also used as a symbol of protection. 

The power of black candles should not be underestimated.

Spiritualists recommend only burning a black candle for a short period of time, then blowing it out.

This short period of time could be when you are meditating, talking or praying to your higher power, or asking for protection and guidance. 

Green candle:

Let’s talk about the green candles.

Green is the color of grass and commonly associated with all things living.

Green leaves grow from trees, which is very symbolic of personal growth and rebirth, particularly at the beginning of spring. 

Also, green candles should be burned when you feel as though personal, inner, emotional, or spiritual growth is needed.

This could mean a wide variety of things, including:

• Finding the strength to leave a partner;
• Encouraging learning vibes before a test or exam;
• At the end of the winter, to manifest a positive spring/summer/fall.

9 Spiritual meanings and powers of burning candles

Different cultures and walks of life will light and burn candles for a wide variety of reasons. Even the burning process can have an impact on the meaning, spiritual message, or outcome. Why don’t we take a closer look at the spiritual meanings and powers of burning candles? 

1) If Your Lit Candle Goes Out by Itself… 

It has done the job you wanted it to do.

For example, if you lit the candle to meditate and ask a higher power for help with a situation, the higher power has heard you and granted your wishes. The candle will go out because its powerful spiritual manipulation is no longer needed. 

The way you feel in the moment will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the situation.

If the candle goes out suddenly, startling you and making you feel anxious (no matter how briefly), it could be the case that your wishes or thoughts have been heard, and have then been shut down.

Perhaps you’re asking for a little too much. 

2) A Candle Burning with Black Smoke Isn’t a Good Sign

White smoke from a candle’s flame is said to be a good sign, but black smoke is quite the opposite.

The darker, black billowing smoke is an indication of negative energies, which could be related to your mood.

Alternatively, it could be a sign of negative things, people, or situations in your future. 

3) Boost Your Creativity

If you want a hand tapping into your creative side and getting the artistic mojo going, an orange candle is going to be your friend.

You could also consider lighting and burning green and orange candles together for artistic blockage clearance and growth combined. 

Pagans believe that orange candles are great for encouraging communication and confidence!

And in witchcraft circles, they’re used to harness energy from the sun and turn into success and energy. 

4) Make Note of the Flame

Have you ever noticed how the flame of a candle can change significantly.

You’ll light it one time and the flame will be tall and bright.

The next time you light it, however, only a small flame appears.

Sometimes this can be due to the position of the wax, wick, and other things… but what if the size of the flame was a message in itself?

If you’re casting a spell, asking for protection, or using the candle as a means to get or achieve something, wait for a time when the flame is at its biggest.

• Smaller flames are said to mean a smaller manifestation or power.
• Larger flames mean the candle’s strength and power is strong. 

Unfortunately, larger flames are often harder to control…

Which means the same for your manifestation or wishes!

Smaller flames are easier to control, which means you’ll have more control over how things go. 

5) Incoming Good Luck

If you have a dream about a candle burning, or there is a candle burning somewhere in the background of your dream, there’s a pretty good chance that you have good things coming your way.

This is seen as a good luck sign and positive omen. 

If in your dream you then blow out the candle, the outcome isn’t seen as quite so bright and positive.

This could be symbolic of cutting out something in your life that once brought you happiness and joy.

By eliminating the flame you are essentially eliminating a little piece of light in your life. This isn’t always a bad thing, of course.

You must shut one door for another one to open. 

6) Tap in to Your Inner Voice

You can use candles, meditation, and a wide range of other spiritual practices to find your inner voice, and also to trust it more.

Many candle colors offer this, but one of the best is considered to be purple.

It is a ‘witchy’ color, often used in Halloween costumes and decorations; and it is also a rich and vibrant color, thought be many throughout history to be a sign of wealth and power. 

If you’re struggling to trust your intuition, or you seem to have lost it, follow your usual spiritual practices and burn a purple candle as you’re doing so.

This can help you to unlock that door you’ve been struggling to get through. 

7) Access Your Spiritual Messages in Dreams

I’m actually going to stick with the purple-colored candle for a moment.

If you want to remember your dreams, have more vivid dreams, and access the spiritual meanings and messages from your dreams, you might want to consider lighting a purple candle before you go to bed. 

Just remember to blow it out afterwards, obviously.

You don’t want to burn the house down. 

Purple is a very spiritual color, and as previously mentioned, it is also vibrant.

The vibrance of the burning candle can transfer into your dreams, encouraging them and enabling you to remember and decipher them. 

8) Crackling Could Be a Notification

If your candle makes unusual noises as it burns, the light of the flame has done its job and alerted other realms to your presence.

They’re listening to you, watching over you as you meditate or pray, and the crackling is their way of letting you know. 

When the candle crackles, it is your time to talk.

• Say what you need to say.
• Ask for protection or guidance.
• Tell your loved ones how much you love and miss them. 

Say it like they’re right next to you because the candle making noises could be a sign that they are. 

9) Seeking the Truth

When you need to get to the bottom of a situation and finally figure out the truth, you should light a light blue or pale blue candle.

These colors are truthful, honest, and trustworthy ones, bringing you the strength you need to seek out your truth. 

Spiritual Meaning of Lighting a Candle

Lighting a candle is often seen as a sign of respect for people you’ve lost, alerting them in the same way that a lighthouse alerts boats at sea.

You need them, just like the boat needs the light to warn it about the rocks. 

Some people will light a candle at an alter or similar spots, as a sign of respect and to strengthen their connection to the spiritual or faith world.

It can be seen as symbolic to the flame that burns within us, and the flame that burns in our hearts for others. 

Should I keep a candle burning today?

Certain candles shouldn’t be left to burn all day.

This is not only a waste of spiritual energy, but could also invite unwanted outcomes.

These wax items are not just great for lighting and decorative purposes, they are also super powerful.

Whether you believe in the spiritual meanings and messages of candles or not, their importance in life, religion, and spirituality cannot be overlooked.