What Are Candles Used For In Halloween?

Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated in many countries around the world on October 31st. The word “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows’ Eve”, as it is the evening before All Saints’ Day on November 1st. Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts (https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween). Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular holiday incorporating traditions from pagan festivals as well as Christian holy days. Today, common Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, lighting candles inside pumpkins, decorating, donning costumes, attending parties and watching horror movies.

Jack-o’-Lanterns

Carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns is a popular Halloween tradition in the United States and other countries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed “Stingy Jack” ([“The Jack-O-Lantern’s Origins,” Carnegie Museum of Natural History](https://carnegiemnh.org/the-jack-o-lanterns-origins/)). According to the legend, Stingy Jack tricked the devil repeatedly, but was barred from entering heaven or hell when he died. He was condemned to roam the earth with only a burning coal in a hollowed-out turnip to light his way. The Irish began carving demonic and supernatural faces into turnips, beets, and potatoes to scare away Stingy Jack’s wandering spirit. Immigrants brought this tradition to America, where pumpkins were more plentiful and easier to carve than turnips.

Today, carving pumpkins into decorative jack-o’-lanterns is a fun Halloween ritual. People carve scary, silly, or creative designs into pumpkins to display outside their homes and at Halloween parties. Glowing jack-o’-lanterns provide an ominous and spooky mood, while creative carvings show off people’s artistic talents. The jack-o’-lantern’s frightening carved face also serves as a playful way to scare off any evil spirits that may creep around on Halloween night.

Ambiance and Decoration

Candles are commonly used to set the spooky mood for Halloween decor. Flickering candlelight creates shadows and a haunting atmosphere perfect for the holiday. Placing groups of candles around a room or along walkways helps transform regular spaces into something magical and foreboding.

Candles make for easy and affordable holiday decorations. Setting candles of varying heights on mantles, shelves, and table tops adds an eerie glow and ambiguity that complements other decor. Strategically placing candles throughout a space can direct foot traffic and draw attention to displays or focal points.

For outdoor decorating, lighting the path to your front door with candles in plastic pumpkins or paper bags creates an inviting ambiance. Scattering tealight candles along staircases and walkways looks stunning and guides trick-or-treaters. Line your driveway or garden with votives or tea lights to build anticipation.

Battery-operated candles are a safer option than traditional wax candles, especially for outdoor use. They realistically flicker for full effect without posing fire hazards.

Candles make a huge impact on the overall look and feel of a space for Halloween entertaining. Their warm glow transforms regular rooms and yards into something magical. Strategically placing candlelight draws attention, sets the mood, and really maximizes the spook-factor.

Luminaries

Luminarias, sometimes called farolitos, are small paper lanterns that are displayed during the holiday season to create a warm, festive glow. They originated in the Southwest United States and have become a beloved tradition, especially in New Mexico.

The purpose of displaying luminarias is to light the way during the Christmas season, guiding people home and symbolizing hope and welcome. They are often placed along sidewalks, lining the path to one’s front door. Luminarias are also used to decorate patios, gardens, rooftops, and more during the holidays.

Traditionally, luminarias are made from brown paper lunch bags with a candle placed inside. They are weighed down with sand or rocks to prevent the flame from catching the paper on fire. The bags are decorated with holiday designs, greenery, or left plain. Nowadays, many people use battery-operated candles for safety.

The luminaria tradition dates back centuries. Spanish settlers brought the custom to the Southwest in the 16th century. The soft, warm glow of the lanterns in the cold winter night creates a beautiful and inviting scene.

Luminarias are often displayed during Las Posadas, the traditional Mexican nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas. They help light the way during nightly reenactments of Joseph and Mary seeking shelter in Bethlehem.

Overall, luminarias are a beloved way to add festive ambiance and carry on seasonal traditions during the holidays.

Altars

One of the most common uses of candles during Halloween is to decorate altars honoring deceased loved ones. This tradition stems from the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), where families build ofrendas (offerings) to welcome the spirits of loved ones into their homes. Candles are an essential part of these altars, used to help guide the spirits back to their families.

The candles on Dia de los Muertos altars are often arranged in the shape of a cross or path to create a trail for the spirits to follow. Different colored candles may symbolize different meanings – for example, white candles represent hope and purity while purple candles are for grieving. Altar candles are often decorated with imagery related to the deceased’s life or death. Popular motifs include La Catrina skeletons, marigolds, sugar skulls, and the deceased’s favorite foods or activities. According to Mexican tradition, the light and smoke from the altar candles help nourish and strengthen the spirits after their long journey back to the realm of the living.

While the Day of the Dead is a Mexican and Latin American tradition, many people around the world have adopted the custom of building altars to honor deceased loved ones. Candles remain a key component in helping guide the spirits and creating an inviting space for them to visit and commune with their families. Whether arranged in a simple display or an elaborate altar, candles represent the enduring connection between the living and those who have passed on.

Check out these Day of the Dead candles and holders for your altar: https://www.amazon.com/day-dead-candles/s?k=day+of+dead+candles, https://www.thecatrinashop.com/collections/day-of-the-dead-skulls

Seances and Spells

Candles play an important role in seances and spellcasting around Halloween. Seance candles are often used to set the mood and summon spirits during a séance. These candles give off an eerie ambiance with scents like amber, oud, and vetiver (SEANCE CANDLE – Mystical Blossoms). Witch City Wicks in Salem, MA specializes in handmade candles for séances and Samhain rituals (Samhain Séance – Get Fictional). On Etsy, you can find a wide variety of custom seance candles for channeling spirits (Seance Candle on Etsy).

Spell candles are also very popular for magic practiced around Halloween. These candles are carved with symbols, dressed with oils, or engraved with runes to aid in manifesting desires through spells. Colors like black, orange, and purple are commonly used. The flame is thought to release the magic and energy of the spell into the universe. Lighting spell candles on Halloween adds power and intention to rituals and witchcraft.

Safety

When using candles, especially around children, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. According to the La Grange, IL official website, “If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, only use battery operated candles or glow sticks” (https://www.villageoflagrange.com/389/Halloween-Safety-Tips).

Scotland’s fire and rescue service also warns that real candles can be dangerous in jack-o-lanterns and provides tips: “Use a torch or battery candles in pumpkins rather than candles. Keep an eye on children at all times around candles. Don’t leave candles unattended” (https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/halloween-candle-safety/).

Battery operated candles are a safer choice for jack-o-lanterns and indoor decorations. While real candles provide ambiance, the fire risk makes them inappropriate around excited children. Focus decor on battery powered lights or glow sticks to avoid any tragic accidents.

Candle Magic

Candles have long been used in magic and rituals for their powerful symbolic meaning as well as their practical ability to provide light. Different colors of candles are thought to have different energetic and spiritual properties that can be harnessed for magical intentions (Meaning of Candles by Color for Halloween Spell Book).

For example, orange and black candles are traditionally used at Halloween. Orange represents the autumn harvest season and black candles can symbolize communication with the spirit world or honoring deceased ancestors. Red candles represent love, passion, and high energy, which makes them popular for attraction spells. Green candles relate to prosperity, success, and abundance. White candles help amplify intentions and can be substituted for any color, while gold and silver candles respectively bring wealth and intuition.

When using candles in rituals, practitioners often carve symbolic shapes or words into the wax or anoint the candles with oils to increase their magical potency. The color and intention of the candle helps direct the magical energy during spells, meditations, or prayers (The Meaning of Candle Colors For Magic and Rituals). With mindfulness and focus, the colored flame can create a visual manifestation of desires and connect the spellcaster to universal energy forces.

Aromatherapy

Scented candles can be used to enhance the ambiance and set the mood for Halloween celebrations. Certain scents are strongly associated with the holiday and can evoke feelings of mystery, spookiness, and nostalgia when used in candle form. Some popular scented candle aromas for Halloween include:

Pumpkin – Reminiscent of pie baking in the oven, spiced pumpkin scented candles conjure up nostalgic feelings of fall and Halloween traditions. These warm, sweet scents are perfect for Autumn (https://diocandlecompany.com/collections/halloween-candles-wax-tarts).

Bonfire or Campfire – Smoky, woody scents like bonfire or campfire candles evoke haunting nights outdoors. Their crackling, fall scents stimulate the senses and set the mood for spooky stories (https://colonialcandle.com/products/127509-colonial-candle-jar-spooky-woods).

Spice – Warm aromas like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg are reminiscent of Fall baking, mulled cider, and the changing leaves. Their cozy, nostalgic scents make autumnal spice candles ideal for Halloween celebrations.

Using appropriately themed candle scents is an easy way to immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit. Their aromas stimulate the senses, set the mood, and prepare celebrants for a spooky holiday filled with fun traditions and nostalgia.

Conclusion

Candles serve many festive and atmospheric purposes on Halloween. Carved pumpkins illuminated with candles, known as jack-o’-lanterns, are a quintessential Halloween decoration displayed outside homes. Candles placed around the house cast a spooky, flickering glow to set the mood. Luminaries made from candles in paper bags line walkways to light the way for trick-or-treaters. Candles are often used on Halloween altars to honor deceased loved ones. In mystical practices, candles are burned during seances to connect with spirits or cast magical spells. Despite their significance, candle safety is paramount. Candles should not be left unattended and precautions are needed around children and flammable materials. Beyond atmosphere, candles hold deeper meaning in traditions like candle magic and aromatherapy. In all their forms, candles remain an integral part of a Halloween celebration.