Have you ever noticed the prominent role that candles play in church? There are many special services that use candles and they play an important part for the occasion. Candles at home can of course be nice, but in church they have a deeper meaning and important symbolism. Also, most church candles contain at least a certain percentage of beeswax.
As churches have used special candles throughout history, there are certain specifications as to what kind of candles are supposed to be used. Depending on the religion or denomination, certain candles used must contain a minimum percentage of beeswax. For example, at one time the Catholic church required that all of the candles in their church were made from one hundred percent beeswax. A couple of reasons for this is the symbolism behind the beeswax as well as the fact that beeswax candles produce no smoke which could ruin paintings and artwork that were present in the church. Paraffin candles, one of the other options at the time, emitted a black smoke that was known to damage items.Today, Roman Catholic churches still require that the candles present in church contain at least 51% of beeswax.
Beeswax candles are very symbolic. The pure beeswax represents the pure body of Jesus, while the wick is symbolic of his soul. The flame that burns from the two combined elements is a representation of Christ’s divinity which dominates and absorbs both.
Christmas season is a time where churches seem to incorporate candles even more. Many churches hold Christmas Eve or Christmas morning candle light services. During this service, every person present in the congregation usually gets their own small candle that is lit. When the lights are turned off in the building and you can see only the candles burning from the congregation it is quite a beautiful sight.
The advent wreath also contains candles and is used four weeks before Christmas. This is made up of a wreath, four taper candles (usually three purple and one pink), and a large white pillar candle in the center. One of the taper candles is lit each Sunday prior to Christmas. The fifth candle is lit on Christmas day. As each candle is lit, scriptures are usually read and then everyone gathered takes some time for prayer. Each candle has a different meaning including: The Candle of Prophecy, The Candle of the Way, The Candle of Joy, The Candle of Peace, and the Christ Candle / Christmas Candle.
If you are wondering where this coveted beeswax comes from, it is literally a bi-product of worker bees. Only worker bees have a “wax gland” that secretes wax from the bee in the form of flakes, which is then rubbed off of the bee by its legs and deposited on the honeycomb. Scientists estimate that bees need to consume about six to eight pounds of honey in order produce only one pound of beeswax. This is why beeswax can be very expensive.
One of the most well known manufacturers of different church candles and beeswax candles is Emkay Candle Company. This company is located in the United States and has made a good name for itself among churches. Their products include anything from individual congregation candles with drip protectors to altar candles made of beeswax. There are also other church candle companies that can be considered as well if you are looking for a manufacturer.
Next time you are at a church service and there are candles being used, remember the importance and symbolism of them and think of all of the hard work that was put into making them by the worker bees.