By Sirena Van Schaik
Throughout time, candles have also held some symbolic meaning. There are candles for christenings, candles for holidays whether you are Christian, Muslim, Jewish or any other religion and there are candles that reflect a deeper meaning, whether it is a meaning of celebration or a meaning of love.
The colors of individual candles have different meanings as well and many people, although not knowledgeable about the different colors, are at the very least, interested in the meanings.
So before you light a candle, read this article to learn the many meanings of the colors.
The Colors of Candles:
White: More than likely, you understand what white means. It is after all linked eternally with purity, innocence and enlightenment. It is a cleansing color that is believed to cleanse both the mind and the spirit and heal any emotions that are in turmoil.Â
Black: There has always been something about black candles that bring up thoughts of discord and evil. Most people would shy away from black candles since they have been given such a negative image, especially at the hands of Hollywood. This is actually furthest from the true meaning of a black candle and in fact, black candles are supposed to be the color you burn when you are trying to destroy negative forces and energy. They are also believed to be the appropriate color to use for healing when you are battling a serious illness.
Red: It doesn’t take too much imagination to figure out the meaning of red candles. They have been linked with love, passion and sex for countless decades. Red candles encompass all of those things and more since the color can also mean health and vitality, fertility and strength, courage and willpower and it can also mean the darker emotions such as lust.
Purple: Purple is actually my favorite color of candle and it problem has to do with the colors link to wisdom and knowledge. It is a color that speaks of spirituality and divination as well as success and power.Â
Gold: Gold seems to be a popular color during Christmas season and it is fitting in many ways since gold is a color of divination and delightfully enough playfulness. It is also a color that brings to mind success and wealth.
Green: Like Gold, green is also associated with success, and wealth but it is also associated with health throughout a person’s life; health in marriage, employment, success, physical growth and also fertility. It is the color that reflects a bountiful harvest.
Blue: Blue is a tranquil color that is filled with harmony, contentment and a sense of peace. It is the color to use if you are trying to lose weight or if you are simply trying to find your center. An excellent color of candle for meditation, it is believed to bring inspiration and happiness.
Silver: We can’t forget about silver if we have already looked at a metallic candle. This is another color that is very popular during Christmas but it is actually a color that is known for its neutrality. It is another great choice for meditation and reflection.
Yellow: And what about yellow? It is the sunshiny color that brings with it a sense of happiness. It is also believed to reflect intelligence and wisdom and it is an excellent color to choose if you are busy in academic pursuits, whether they are studious or creative in nature. It is a color of change and energy and will definitely keep you busy.
And there are the meanings of a few of the more popular colors of candles. For every color there is a meaning and each color harmonizes another so play around for your own desired effect.
Filed under Remodeling by on Dec 3rd, 2008. Comment. 
By Sirena Van Schaik
As a young child, I remember some of the nicest memories of my childhood being surrounded by candles. We had candles on cakes, candles when camping, and candles when we were outside enjoying a summer night. There were candle festivals and candle walks and even a few candlelight services. Candles were something that cast an enchanted light on any festivity and I was only vaguely aware that candles were dangerous.
Sadly, that thought is something that very few people think about, even as adults. We use candles for many of the same reasons that we saw them being used for as children and many times we hardly think about the implications of a lit flame.
It is, after all, such a tiny spark, one that can be blown out so easily but that little spark can quickly ignite into a dangerous blaze.Â
To keep your home and your family safe, it is important to remember a few general rules about candle safety.
1. Never place a candle where it can catch fire.
Yes, I know that seems like an all encompassing thought but candles should always be placed in the center of a table or mantel place. They should never be placed in windows since the flame could ignite drapes, or other window dressings including blinds.Â
Candles should also be kept away from beds and piles of clothing. A candle can tip easily and it is important to not provide anything that could cause a blaze.
2. Keep children and pets away from candles.
This is pretty straightforward. Candles should be up high where a young child can’t reach it or accidentally knock it. The same goes for pets. Dogs have been known to clear a coffee table or two with their tails and a candle could easily be knocked into the couch or onto the carpet.
3. Always extinguish a candle before leaving a room.
You know the saying, “Never leave a candle unattended,†well, learn it, say it and remember it. A multitude of things can happen to a candle when you are not in the room and it is better to practice safety completely.
On the topic of extinguishing candles, make sure you extinguish them before you go to bed and also make sure that they are completely extinguished. I have known people who wake up in the morning to find the candle relit and burning happily.
Lastly, if a candle is about an inch from the bottom, extinguish it. Never leave a candle burning for more than 4 hours for both safety reasons and also to get the most out of your candles.
4. Follow those directions.
There are many different types of candles on the market today and each one will have slightly different care and burn instructions. If you are not familiar with a brand of candle, or even if you are, read the instructions and follow them.
5. Keep the candle in one place.
I have already talked about keeping your candles in a sturdy place but one last point to make about candle safety is to never carry a lit candle around. The melted wax can easily splash up and cause severe burns.
6. Keep the candles tidy.
Keeping a candle tidy not only helps keep the candle bright and beautiful but it also keeps the candle much safer.  Wicks should always be trimmed to ¼ inch to keep the flame low and dust, or pet hair should be brushed off the candle before use.Â
Once you have all the safety tips memorized, it doesn’t take anything to remember them.
Filed under Remodeling by on Dec 2nd, 2008. Comment.