What is the significance of lighting a candle?
Many faiths observe the ritual lighting of a candle as a highly significant religious act. The active flame, with its great power of shedding light and heat (as well as its potentially destructive power), is often seen as a metaphor for the human soul, as in the biblical verse “the candle of God is the human soul” (Proverbs 20:27).JudaismLighting candles figures prominently as a Jewish act. Jewish women will light Shabbat candles to mark the entry of the sabbath on Friday nights, and the lighting of an eight-branched candelabrum is the principal observance of the holiday of Chanukah. Jews will also light candles that burn for 24 hours on the death anniversaries of loved ones. Although candles may be made of any substance that burns cleanly and does not emit an offensive odor, a wick placed in pure olive oil is preferred.ChristianityCandles are often lit before icons as a form of offering, and tapers decorate the altar and are used in religious processions. Roman Catholic practice requi
