What Do You Put Votive Candles On?

A votive candle, also known as a prayer candle, is a small candle intended to be burnt as an offering or for decoration. The name comes from the Latin “votum” meaning vow or dedication. Votive candles are generally short, small, and made from wax. They differ from standard candles in that they are designed to burn for 1-6 hours, making them ideal for devotional purposes, memorials, or ambient lighting. While most votive candles are around 1-3 inches tall, larger votive candles can measure over 4 inches high and 1-2 inches in diameter. Votive candles are commonly used in Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Paganism, and other faiths as a symbolic way to offer prayers, give thanks, memorialize loved ones, decorate the home, or create a spiritual ambience.

History

The use of candles in religious rituals and ceremonies dates back thousands of years. According to the Catholic Education Resource Center, “The history of votive candles originated in ancient times when candles or oil lamps were lit and offered in temples as a sign of devotion. They were used in ancient Rome and Greece and among early Christians.”

Votive candles became common in Christianity during the Middle Ages. Wikipedia explains that “Their use became common in medieval Roman Catholic churches. Lighting a candle showed one’s intent to pray for and think about a loved one. Christians adapted the use of lit candles for Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, and at funerals.”

The tradition of lighting votive candles emerged across many faiths as a symbolic way to offer prayers, petitions, or remembrance. As the Catholic Education Resource Center notes, “Lit candles were used in religious and military processions, showing the divine presence, aid or favor of the gods.”

Common Surfaces

Votive candles can be placed on a variety of surfaces in your home. Here are some of the most popular surfaces to place votive candles:

Tables – Placing votive candles on tables is very common. They can be arranged on dining tables, coffee tables, side tables, and more. Just be sure to use holders or plates to catch any wax drippings. Votives on tables create ambiance and allow you to enjoy the candlelight during meals or while relaxing.

Shelves – Shelves make beautiful displays for votive candles. Stagger candles of different heights along a shelf or place them in a line. Be sure to keep them away from walls and use nonflammable surfaces. Shelves let you create customized votive displays.

Window sills – Lining votive candles along a window sill creates a cozy feel and lets you enjoy their glow. Be sure to keep them away from curtains or blinds. Window sill candles look beautiful from inside and outside.

Floor – Groupings of votive candles can be artfully arranged right on the floor. Choose spots out of high traffic areas and away from pets or kids. The floor allows you to create large votive displays.

Fireplace mantels – The mantel is made for displaying candles. Arrange votives of different heights across the shelf above the fireplace. They’ll cast a warming glow to complement the flames below. Just be cautious of getting too close to portraits or televisions above the mantel.

Safety Considerations

When burning votive candles, it’s important to follow some basic safety precautions. According to https://dadantcandles.com/candle-safety-tips/, you should never leave a burning candle unattended. Votive candles should always be kept away from flammable materials like curtains, tablecloths, or anything else that can easily catch fire.

The candle holders used for votives are also an important safety consideration. https://www.buyacandle.com/shop_burningguidevotives.html recommends using nonflammable holders made from materials like glass, metal, or ceramic. Avoid using plastic or paper holders which can melt or burn.

It’s also wise to supervise burning votive candles, especially around children or pets who may accidentally knock them over. Never leave votives burning unattended or sleep while they are lit. Be sure to extinguish all votives before leaving a room.

Aesthetic Options

When choosing votive candles, consider how the colors, shapes and sizes coordinate with your existing decor. For example, select candles in complementary hues that tie in with your throw pillows or table runner.

Arranging votives in groups creates visual impact. Try clustering 3-5 candles of the same color and style on a platter or mirror. You can also alternate colors in an ombre effect. Mixing short and tall candles adds nice dimension to a centerpiece or mantle display.

For more eclectic arrangements, combine candles of different sizes, colors and shapes. Use both metal and glass votives to vary the textures. Arrange them asymmetrically for a casual look. Let some candles be the focal point by placing them on risers or small blocks (Source).

Spiritual Uses

Votive candles have long been used in spiritual and religious practices. Some common spiritual uses of votive candles include:

Part of altars – Votive candles are often placed on home altars or shrines as an offering or to create a sacred space. Different colored candles may be used for different purposes, such as red for love, green for prosperity, or white for purity (https://www.omensalem.com/spell-candles/spell-votives/).

Offerings in rituals – In many spiritual traditions, lighting votive candles is a symbolic offering to deities or spirits. Votive candles may be lit during rituals, spells, or prayers as a form of sacrifice or petition (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/different-types-candles-utilized-spirituality-practices-ndlovu).

Focus for meditation – The flickering flame of a votive candle can be used as a focus point for meditation. Concentrating on the candle’s light and warmth can help calm the mind and connect with spiritual realms (https://www.mycircleoflight.org/why-votive-candles).

Memorial Candles

Memorial candles are often used to honor lost loved ones and mark special anniversaries or occasions related to their passing.

Lighting a candle in remembrance is a longstanding tradition across many cultures. The flame signifies the light and warmth that the deceased brought into the lives of those who knew them. The candle’s gradual diminishing represents the passage of time while honoring their memory. Many find the act of lighting a memorial candle to be comforting, peaceful and meaningful.

Today, memorial candles come in a wide variety of styles and designs. Simple votive candles can be placed in holders featuring messages, photos, or personalized elements. Scented candles in urn shapes and other memorial-specific styles are also popular. LED flameless candles offer a safe, long-lasting alternative. Glass votives can even hold cremains or dried funeral flowers as a touching keepsake. (Source)

Memorial candles are often displayed at funerals, wake services, celebrations of life, grave sites and home memorials. Families may light them on birthdays, holidays, anniversaries of the death, or important occasions their loved one would have been part of. Many make lighting a memorial candle part of their grief ritual to feel an ongoing connection. (Source)

Floating Candles

Floating candles have become a popular decorative element for both indoor and outdoor spaces. When grouped together in bowls or vases of water, floating candles create a gorgeous ambiance as the flickering flames move gently across the water’s surface. They are commonly used in pools, bathtubs, and outdoor ponds or water features to add a serene and relaxing atmosphere.

According to Yummi Candles, floating candles are perfect for creating “instant ambiance” in any space (source). The candles float in water, allowing the flame to gently drift and sway, creating a calming effect. Floating candles come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from small votives to large pillars, so you can create the look you want.

Floating candles are especially popular for placing in pools, hot tubs, and bathtubs during at-home spa nights. Grouping small floating votive candles in glass bowls or vases filled with water creates an instantly luxurious atmosphere for relaxation. The Amazon bestsellers list features many top-rated floating candle options perfect for this use (source).

The pros of floating candles are their visual appeal and versatility. They can be used indoors and outdoors to quickly add ambiance and a relaxing vibe. The cons are that they can be messy if the water splashes, and they may not burn as long or evenly as traditional candles.

DIY Holders

Votive candles can be placed into a variety of different containers to create unique and customized holders. A popular DIY trend is upcycling common household items into votive holders. Small glass jars, bottles, tins, and bowls can all be repurposed as charming votive containers. Clean out an old salsa jar or use a vintage tea cup to give new life to items you already have at home.

Another DIY option is making your own terracotta or glass votive holders. Small clay pots made from modeling clay or polymer clay can be shaped by hand and painted or glazed to create one-of-a-kind holders. Recycle old glass containers by wrapping the outside with decorative items like lace, twine, or ribbons saturated with decoupage or Mod Podge. Fill the inside with beads, flowers, or other small embellishments before placing the candle inside. DIY projects allow you to customize votive holders to match your personal style or decor.

Sources:

https://www.marthastewart.com/7886047/diy-votive-candle-crafts

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/61502351144341348/

Conclusion

Votive candles can be placed on a variety of surfaces to create beautiful displays and environments. Key takeaways include:

– Traditionally, votives are placed on candle holders made of glass, metal, or ceramic. These allow the melted wax to collect neatly and provide stability.

– Floating votive candles in water create ambiance and interest. Containers like bowls, vases or jars allow for novel arrangements.

– Exercise caution with fire safety when using votives. Keep away from flammable materials and never leave burning candles unattended.

– For spiritual uses, votives can be arranged on surfaces that align with intention, like an altar or memorial space.

– DIY votive holders allow for creative, customized designs using materials like pebbles, marbles, sea glass, etc.

With some creativity and safety considerations, votive candles can be beautifully displayed on a wide variety of surfaces to enhance ambiance and meaning.