What Is A Votive Candle Holders?
What Are Votive Candles?
Votive candles are small candles typically placed in glass containers meant to burn for a short period of time, ranging from a few hours up to a day. The word “votive” comes from the Latin “votum” meaning “vow.”
The use of votive candles originated in the Catholic Church and dates back hundreds of years. According to The History of Votive Candles, votive candles became a common tradition in the Middle Ages as offerings at shrines and next to saints as symbols of prayers and devotion. Lighting a candle represented offering a prayer.
Today, votive candles come in common shapes like rounds, tapers, pillars, and cubes, and range in size from 1 inch to 3 inches in diameter and 2 to 4 inches tall. They are made from either paraffin or soy wax and have cotton or paper wicks.
Votive candles are used across many faiths and religions, including Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and more. They continue to represent prayers, remembrance, spiritual connection, and devotion (The Candleland).
What Are Votive Candle Holders?
Votive candle holders are containers designed to hold votive candles. As their name implies, they serve the purpose of holding votive candles and collecting any dripping wax.
Votive candle holders allow the candles to be moved around and displayed in different arrangements. They are commonly made of glass, ceramic, metal, stone, or other non-flammable materials. The holder contains and protects the flame of the votive candle.
Votive candle holders come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and designs. Their main purpose is functional – to provide a safe container for a votive candle. But they also serve a decorative purpose, allowing candles to be incorporated into displays, centerpieces, and more. Votive holders elevate simple candles into beautiful accents.
Some common materials for votive holders include:
- Glass – classic transparent or colored votive holders
- Ceramic – glazed ceramic in multitude colors and designs
- Metal – wrought iron, tin, aluminum holders
- Stone – marble, granite, slate holders
Votive candle holders are a key component in churches, ceremonies, events, and home decor when using votive candles. They provide a safe and decorative way to display candlelight.
Types of Votive Candle Holders
Votive candle holders come in a wide variety of materials, styles, and designs. Some of the most common materials used are glass, ceramic, metal, and wood.
Simple glass votive holders are a popular and classic option. They allow the candlelight to shine through beautifully. Etched, colored, and patterned glass holders add decorative flair. Metal holders like brass, iron, and tin provide an industrial chic look. Hammered metal offers artisanal texture and style. Ceramic and terra cotta holders come in bright glazes or natural earthen hues. Wood holders can be rustic and homey or elegantly carved.
Votive holders range from basic, modern designs to highly ornate, decorative shapes. You can find holders modeled as flowers, animals, religious symbols, and more. The options are nearly endless.
An important distinction is between single and multi candle holders. Single holders are designed for just one votive each. Multi candle holders allow you to arrange numerous votives together, which creates a beautiful collective glow.
A popular source for an extensive range of votive candle holder designs and materials is Alibaba.
Uses of Votive Candles and Holders
Votive candles and holders are most commonly used to create ambiance and set a mood with gentle candlelight. The small size of votive candles makes them ideal for placing around a room, and their flickering flames can help set a relaxing, calming, or romantic vibe. Votive candles are especially popular to use as centerpieces and holiday decor. Their warm glow helps set the mood for celebrations and special occasions.
Votive candles are also frequently used in memorials and vigils, to represent remembrance. They are lit to honor those who have passed away. In spiritual practices across religions, votive candles represent offerings and prayers. Lighting a votive candle symbolizes a prayer or intention being sent. This is why they are commonly found in churches, temples, and places of worship. Catholics in particular light votive candles before the statues or images of saints, the Virgin Mary, or other holy figures (Source).
Votive Candle Holder Design Elements
The design and aesthetic style of a votive candle holder comes down to a few key elements that impact its form and function.
The material used to construct the holder affects its look, feel, and durability. Popular materials include glass, ceramic, metal, and wood. Glass holders let light shine through for a bright and elegant look. Ceramic and porcelain holders provide classic elegance. Metal holders like copper or iron create an industrial, rustic vibe. Wood holders bring natural warmth.
The votive holder’s shape and style impacts its visual appeal and decorative presence. Simple cylindrical holders provide a clean, minimalist look. More ornate styles feature cutouts, patterns, or sculptural shapes for added visual interest. Some holders are designed to scatter light in artistic ways.
The size of the holder determines how many votive candles it can accommodate – individual holders are designed for one candle each, while grouped holders and candelabras can hold multiple votives together. Larger holders make a bolder decorative statement.
A votive holder’s color also makes a statement and influences the ambiance created. Neutral colors like clear, white, or black blend seamlessly into any décor. Bold or metallic hues create focal points. Mixing and matching colors provides visual variety.
With limitless options, thoughtfully designed votive holders complement any space while providing charming ambiance.
Where to Buy Votive Candle Holders
There are many places to find a wide selection of votive candle holders to suit any style or budget:
Home goods stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Crate and Barrel typically have a nice variety of votive holders in glass, metal, ceramic, and other materials. Prices range from budget-friendly to higher end.
Craft stores such as Michael’s, JoAnn Fabrics, and Hobby Lobby carry votive holders in many shapes and designs. These range from basic glass containers to more ornate decorative holders for weddings and events.
Online retailers including Amazon, Wayfair, Overstock, and eBay offer a huge selection of votive candle holders in just about every material, color, size, and price point imaginable. The selection is vast and shipping is convenient.
Boutiques and gift shops often sell stylish and unique votive holders that make great gifts. These are often handmade or fair trade items sourced from artisans. Prices tend to be moderate to high.
For custom and bulk purchases, wholesale and import websites like Alibaba allow you to buy votive holders directly from manufacturers at discounted pricing.
Votive holders can also be found at farmers markets, craft fairs, antique shops, and art galleries if you are looking for something special.
Caring for Votive Candle Holders
Votive candle holders require some care and maintenance to keep them looking their best. Here are some tips for properly caring for your votive holders:
Cleaning the holders to remove built-up wax is important. According to this source, you can use methods like boiling in water, microwaving, or freezing to safely remove wax.
When storing votive holders, be sure to keep them somewhere safe from chips and cracks. Wrap them carefully in soft cloth or bubble wrap. Store in an area away from other hard objects that could scratch them.
Follow basic safety precautions like keeping votive candles and holders away from flammable materials. Never leave burning votives unattended. Extinguish flame before bed or leaving home. This advice from The Outer Banks Candle Company helps votive candles burn safely.
With proper care and cleaning, votive candle holders can be used again and again for many special occasions.
Making DIY Votive Candle Holders
Votive candle holders are a fun and easy DIY project using materials you may already have at home. Some creative ways to make your own votive holders include:
Upcycling glassware or vases – Give old glasses, jars, bottles, and vases new life by turning them into votive holders. Make sure they are heat-resistant. Clean thoroughly, remove labels, and consider spray painting or decorating them before using with a votive.
Using silicone molds with concrete, plaster, etc. – Silicone muffin tins or soap molds make perfect votive molds. Mix up some concrete, plaster, or other heat-safe material and pour into the molds. Add decorations like beads, shells, or glitter before drying if desired. Unmold carefully and let fully cure before using.
Decorating dollar store holders – Plain glass votives from dollar stores or thrift shops can be transformed with some creativity. Paint, decoupage with scrapbook paper or fabric, etch designs, or wrap with raffia or twine. The options are endless for personalizing store-bought votive holders.
Check out this Pinterest board for inspiration on decorating and embellishing votive candle holders.
Incorporating Votive Candles in Event Decor
Votive candles can be an elegant and inexpensive way to set the mood for weddings, parties, and other events. Here are some creative ways to incorporate votives into your event decor:
For tables, try gathering votives together into a cluster and placing them in the center of round tables for a classic romantic look. Or, intersperse individual votive holders down the length of a long banquet table for a more modern style [1]. You can also alternate votive candles with low floral arrangements or other decor elements.
Votives lined up along a pathway or illuminating stone steps create a beautiful arrival experience for guests. Hang glass votive holders from tree branches or tent poles to add a magical glow to outdoor venues [2].
Some tips for maximizing visual impact: Choose candles in complementary colors to your event theme. Mix and match sizes, shapes and styles of votive holders. Place candles at staggered heights for interest. Use mirrors or reflective surfaces under candles to double the light.
With creative placement and stylish holders, votive candles can lend warmth, ambience, and romance to any special event.
The Symbolism of Votive Candles
Votive candles hold deep symbolic meaning in many cultures and religions. Lighting a votive candle represents offering hopes, prayers, and remembrance. The small flames are said to embody spiritual connection and bring comfort to those grieving or in need.
In Catholicism, lighting votive candles is a significant tradition. Catholics light candles to honor saints and pray for loved ones. The candles represent the offering of oneself through prayer. According to The Candle Land, “Catholics light candles as a way to show devotion and to offer prayers for themselves, loved ones, and the world at large.” The flickering flames symbolize prayers rising to heaven. Catholics often light votive candles at shrines or home altars.[1]
Votive candles also carry meaning in many other faiths. In Judaism, Yahrzeit candles burn for 24 hours in remembrance of the deceased. In Wicca, colored votives align with elements like the Goddess, planet glyphs, or the human spirit. Candle magic plays a significant role in many pagan practices. Across belief systems, the votive candle flame represents prayer, mindfulness, and spiritual connection.
