In the Christian faith, the Unity Candle isa tradition that many couples begin at their wedding ceremony. Traditionally, three candles are displayed: onethat represents the bride, one that represents the groom, and one thatrepresents their covenant marriage.
Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man leaves hisfather and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Theway that the candles are lit reflects the leaving and cleaving of the bride andgroom.
After the mother of the bride and groom areescorted down the aisle at the start of the ceremony, they will light the twooutside candles to symbolize each individual family.
Vows are then exchanged and the pronouncement ofhusband and wife is proclaimed. Thebride and groom move towards the candles, each taking their own lit candle andlighting together the middlepillar candle, symbolizing their two livesbecoming one.
The tradition is symbolic and also refers to Jesusbeing the Light of the world. Theconcept that Jesus is the Light and that we are to let our lights shine beforemen in order to reflect God’s glory (Matthew 5:16) make the use of flames apoetic depiction of two Christian lives becoming one. Once the two flames merge and create a newflame, there is no way to then separate out the two individual flames. They are inextricably one.
Some couples prefer to blow the bride’s and groom’scandles out after the unity candle is lit. This symbolizes the fact that the couple no longer exists without oneanother.
Many couples choose simplistictaper candles or atraditional weddingcandle for this ceremony. While othersselect highly decorative displays or candles that are symbolic of theirheritage, favorite colors or other cultural symbols.
