How Long Do You Leave Candles In A Window?

The History and Significance of Candles in Windows

The tradition of placing candles in windows has a long history and carries different symbolic meanings across cultures, often representing prayer, memorial, celebration or welcoming. Candles in windows can signify devotion, remembrance of the deceased, holiday decor, and spiritual invitation. This enduring custom provides beautiful lighting and connects us to practices spanning centuries.

While the origins of placing candles in windows may never be known for certain, the earliest uses likely stemmed from practical lighting needs. Before electricity, candles served as one of the only nighttime light sources within homes. Placing them in windows allowed light to pass to the outside and offered visibility. Over time, the custom took on a host of spiritual meanings that continue to this day.

Nowadays, candles in windows carry varied significance. They can represent prayer, commemorate lost loved ones, decorate for holidays, or indicate hospitality for weary travelers. Regardless of meaning, the soft glow of a candle in the window elicits a sense of peace, warmth, and connection.

Safety Concerns

When burning candles, it’s important to keep fire safety in mind. Candles have an open flame that can easily ignite combustible materials if left unattended. Here are some key fire hazards to be aware of:

Burning candles near flammable items such as curtains, paper, furniture, etc. The flame can quickly spread and turn into a dangerous fire. Keep candles away from anything that can catch fire.

Leaving burning candles unattended. Never leave a lit candle by itself, always stay in the same room. Blow it out if you need to leave. Unattended candles are a leading cause of house fires.

Placing candles too close together. Candles release heat as they burn, so placing multiple candles too close can be a fire risk. Leave several inches between each candle.

Putting candles in an unstable holder. Use sturdy, tip-proof holders placed on a flat, hard surface. Avoid holders that can be knocked over.

Falling asleep while a candle is still burning. Always extinguish candles before going to sleep to prevent the wick from falling over or catching an item on fire.

Not trimming the wick. Long wicks cause uneven, smoky burns and can deposit more wax near the flame which is a fire hazard.

Types of Candles

There are two main types of candles to consider when deciding how long to leave them burning in a window – long-burning candles and standard candles.

Long-burning candles, as the name implies, are designed to have an extended burn time. They are made from special waxes and are larger/thicker than regular candles. Many long-burning candles state an estimated burn time on the packaging, such as 100-150 hours. This makes them ideal for being left in a window continuously for days or even weeks.

Standard candles have a much shorter burn time, ranging from 5-30 hours depending on their size and shape. Leaving standard candles continuously lit in a window is not recommended. They have a higher risk of fire if left unattended for long periods. Their shorter burn time also means you would need to replace the candle more frequently.

If planning to keep a candle lit for more than a day or two, long-burning candles are the safest choice. For brief memorial traditions or religious services, standard candles may be sufficient. Selecting the right candle type helps balance duration, safety, and practicality when leaving candles in windows.

Meaning Behind the Tradition

The practice of leaving a candle burning in the window has cultural significance and religious origins. In early Christian times, a lit candle in the window represented a welcome sign for weary travelers seeking refuge. It signaled that the household was a safe place to receive food, shelter, and blessings.

For Catholics and Christians, a flame in the window also indicates that the residence awaits the return of Christ, whom believers describe as the “Light of the World.” The candle’s glow acts as a beacon guiding Jesus back to his followers.

In Judaism, lamps or candles are lit to usher in the Sabbath day and holiday observances. This honors God’s presence and commemorates events like the Exodus from Egypt. A candle burning in the window shows that God is welcome there.

Beyond religion, candles in the window represent hope, remembrance, hospitality, and sentiment. For instance, families of deployed military service members sometimes place a lit candle by the window to symbolize their longing for a loved one’s safe return.

Memorial Candles

One of the most common reasons for leaving a candle burning in the window is to honor the memory of a deceased loved one. Lighting a candle can create a visible symbol of remembrance, love, grief, and the enduring connection we maintain with those we’ve lost.

Memorial candles remind us of an absent loved one and their lingering presence in our hearts and lives. The small flickering flame represents the light and energy of someone who brought brightness to our lives, but has passed away. It’s a way to publicly demonstrate that although they are physically gone, we still carry them in our hearts and thoughts.

Lighting a memorial candle, especially on anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, or other significant dates, helps us feel that our loved one is with us in spirit. The glowing candle becomes a focal point for grief, reflection, and nostalgic memories. It’s a comforting ritual for many who are coping with loss and bereavement.

In many traditions, memorial candles are left burning for 24 hours to honor the deceased’s full day of life. The slow diminishing of the candle parallels the passage of time since our loved one died. Watching the final flickering flame go out can bring closure as we release their spirit and energy back into the universe.

Religious Uses

The tradition of lighting candles in windows has deep roots across many religions. In Christianity, candles hold great symbolic meaning. Lighting candles represents Christ as the light of the world. During Advent, some Christians light an Advent candle in the window as a visible symbol of awaiting Christ’s birth. In the Catholic tradition, votive candles lit in windows or placed outside show devotion to the Virgin Mary or saints. On the Catholic feast of the Presentation of the Lord, candles are blessed and lighted in remembrance of Simeon’s reference to Christ as a “light for revelation.”

In Judaism, candles hold ceremonial meaning in celebrations like Hanukkah and Passover. During Hanukkah, the menorah is placed near a window to proclaim the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights. On Passover, Yom Kippur, and other holidays, Yahrzeit candles are lit at sundown to honor deceased loved ones. These memorial candles often remain in the window for 24 hours.

In various Pagan traditions, candles are used ritually on the sabbats, solstices, and equinoxes. Lighting candles on windowsills and placing them outside is believed to welcome deities and spirits. In Wicca, a solitary practitioner may light altar candles at their window. Candles also represent the elements, with different colored candles symbolizing earth, air, fire, water and spirit.

Across religions, lighting candles in windows represents spirituality, remembrance, worship, and community. The shared symbolism makes this a universal tradition that connects people of all faiths.

Decorative Candles

Many people use candles simply for decorative purposes to enhance the look and feel of a room. Candles can add a warm, cozy ambiance to any space. During the fall and winter seasons especially, decorative candles are commonly placed throughout homes.

For seasonal displays, candles may be scented with festive fragrances like cinnamon, pine, or pumpkin spice. These candles help establish the atmosphere and scent profile associated with the season. Candle holders in harvest colors like orange, brown, and red are popular in autumn. In winter, white and silver candle holders sparkle and shimmer for a magical effect.

Beyond seasonal displays, candles add mood lighting and visual interest to mantels, shelves, windowsills, and tabletops year-round. Layering candles in holders of varying heights creates depth and dimension. Candlelight cast on walls or ceilings also adds cozy ambiance to a room. The warm, flickering glow of a decorative candle invites relaxation.

Caring for Candles

To keep candles burning properly and safely, it’s important to care for them by trimming the wicks and preventing excessive wax buildup.

Candle wicks should be trimmed to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent smoking and promote complete wax pooling and consumption. Using wick trimmers designed for candles makes this task easy. Trim the wick every few hours as the candle burns to maintain the proper height.

As the candle burns down, wax can build up on the sides and rim of the candle holder or jar. Allow the wax to become a liquid pool while burning, then extinguish the flame and pour off any excess wax before relighting. This helps prevent extensive wax buildup over time. Gently wipe any remaining wax from the jar with a dry paper towel or cotton cloth while the wax is still warm and pliable.

By trimming wicks and clearing excess wax, candles can burn cleaner and safer for longer. Well-maintained wicks prevent annoying smoke or billowing flames, while clearing wax buildup helps candles burn down fully without being obstructed.

Extinguishing Candles

Knowing when and how to properly extinguish candles is an important safety consideration. There are recommended techniques for putting candles out to avoid potential risks.

Candles that have been burning for an extended period will start to exhibit signs like flickering, smoke, or complete melting. This is a good indicator that the candle should be extinguished. As a general rule, most candles shouldn’t be left lit for more than 4 hours at a time. Continuing to burn a distressed candle can pose fire and smoke risks.

To safely extinguish a candle, it’s best to avoid blowing it out to prevent smoke. Use a snuffer, dowser, or candle wand specially designed to put out candle flames. Gently press down on the wick until the flame is smothered. Make sure the wick is no longer glowing or releasing smoke before leaving the candle. With proper extinguishing technique, you can safely enjoy candles without potential hazards.

Recommended Duration

When deciding how long to leave a candle burning in your window, there are a few factors to consider:

Factors to Consider

The purpose of the candle – Is it being used for decoration, memorial, religious reasons, etc? This will impact how long you choose to keep it lit. The type of candle used – Votive, taper, pillar, etc. Some burn quicker than others. Safety – Don’t leave candles unattended for long periods or while sleeping to avoid fire hazards.

General Guidelines

For memorial or religious uses, most people leave the candle lit for 24 hours or through the duration of the memorial period. For decorative or ambient candles, 4-6 hours is common. Tea lights and votives may only burn for 2-4 hours before needing to be replaced. Avoid leaving candles burning all night or anytime the home is vacant. Extinguish pillar or taper candles when they have burned down within 2 inches of the holder.