The Advent wreath is a traditional part of celebrating the season of Advent in many Christian churches. The wreath contains 4 or 5 candles which are lit on each Sunday leading up to Christmas. Each candle has a special meaning and often a specific color associated with it. The colors and meaning of the Advent candles can vary depending on different church traditions, but there are some common themes. In this article, we will explore the typical colors used for the 5 Advent candles and the symbolism behind each one.
The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th century. The wreath is made of evergreen boughs, representing everlasting life amid winter’s death. The wreath is circular, symbolizing God’s never-ending love and the eternal life He makes possible. The 4 candles equate to the four Sundays of Advent and the darkness of winter. As each new candle is lit, the light glows brighter, illustrating the approach of Christmastide. The light represents Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, who enters the world closer with each passing week of Advent.
The Meaning of the 5 Candles
While customs vary slightly across Christendom, there is general uniformity in the symbolism and practice surrounding the Advent wreath. The wreath traditionally holds four candles which are lit, one per Sunday, during the four weeks before Christmas Eve. Some traditions add a fifth candle, lit on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. Each candle has a meaning related to the Christmas story and Jesus’ life. The five candles represent:
Hope
The first Advent candle, lit on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, symbolizes hope and expectancy in anticipation of the coming Messiah. This candle is sometimes called the “Prophets’ Candle” as a reminder of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. Purple is a traditional color for this candle, or some traditions use blue.
Peace
The second candle represents peace and is called the “Angels’ Candle.” It honors the angels who proclaimed the good news of Christ’s birth. Their message was one of peace on earth, especially through the birth of the Prince of Peace. Purple or blue matches this candle to the first.
Joy
The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy at the soon arrival of the Savior. This candle is called the “Shepherds’ Candle” and honors the joy of the shepherds who visited the newborn King.
Love
The fourth candle represents love and is lit on the final Sunday before Christmas Eve. Red is a traditional color for this candle as it corresponds to the blood Christ shed for all people. This candle is called the “Bethlehem Candle” or the “Angels’ Candle” and honors the love of God that gave the gift of Jesus.
Christ / Purity
The optional fifth candle is white and located in the middle of the wreath. It represents the purity of Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, and the light of the world. It is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It is called the “Christ Candle” and represents Jesus Christ incarnate.
Colors of the 5 Advent Candles
The most common Advent candle colors are:
| Candle Number | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purple or Blue | Hope/Prophecy |
| 2 | Purple or Blue | Peace |
| 3 | Pink | Joy |
| 4 | Red | Love |
| 5 | White | Christ/Purity |
As shown in the table, the first two candles are purple or blue to match. The third candle is pink for joy. The fourth candle bringing love is red. And the optional fifth Christ candle is white for purity. These colors carry important symbolic meaning for the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Variations in Color
While the above colors are the most widely used, some denominations vary the hues slightly:
– In the Catholic church, the third candle is rose-colored instead of pink.
– Some Protestant traditions make all the candles purple until the fourth Sunday of Advent, when the candle color changes to white.
– Other Protestant churches prefer three blue candles and one pink candle.
– Messianic and Adventist churches often use all white candles.
So there can be some flexibility in the Advent candle colors, though purple, pink, and white are the most standard.
Meaning Behind the Colors
Beyond representing different aspects of Advent, the colors of the five candles carry special religious symbolism:
– **Purple** – The purple candles symbolize penance and preparation for Christ’s coming. Purple is the traditional color of Advent in the Catholic church. It also represents royalty, fitting for celebrating the coming of the King.
– **Blue** – Where used, blue represents hope in the coming Savior. It is sometimes associated with the blue clothing of the Virgin Mary.
– **Pink** – Pink symbolizes the joyful anticipation of the Advent season. It provides a visual break from the penitential purple candles.
– **Red** – Red symbolizes God’s love for humanity and Jesus’ sacrifice. Red also signifies the Holy Spirit and fire.
– **White** – White represents purity, holiness, and the sinless nature of Christ. White is also associated with angels and light.
History of the Advent Candles
The tradition of the Advent wreath originated among medieval German Lutherans and Catholics, though some sources trace it back to pagan Norse Yule customs. The modern wreath was created by Johann Hinrich Wichern, a Protestant pastor in Germany, in 1839. He made the first Advent wreath out of an old cartwheel, placing 20 small red and 4 large white candles on it. The wreath was part of devotions for children at the mission school he founded.
Use of the smaller red candles was soon simplified to 4 larger candles. A fifth candle was added by the Lutheran church in Germany between World War I and II. German immigrants brought the wreath to the Americas, and by 1930 it was widely used across Christian denominations. Originating in darkness and trial, it has become a symbol of hope and light shining in the bleakest times.
Lighting the Advent Candles
On each Sunday of Advent, the corresponding candles are lit before or after the church service:
– 1st Sunday – The first purple or blue candle is lit.
– 2nd Sunday – The second purple or blue candle is now lit, with the first.
– 3rd Sunday – The pink candle joins the two purple/blue ones.
– 4th Sunday – The red candle is lit, along with the previous three.
– Christmas Eve/Day – The central white Christ Candle is lit.
Families often light the candles at home during Advent season. The candles are generally arranged in a circular wreath on a table. Lighting progresses each week as Christmas draws closer. The increasing light represents the coming of Christ. A short devotion may accompany the candle lighting.
Significance of the Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath serves as a visual representation of the season of Advent. The wreath and candles mark the four weeks leading to Christmas, while symbolizing themes of expectation, hope, love, joy, and purity. These candles provide light in winter’s darkness, as the birth of Jesus provides spiritual light and hope to a darkened world. The circular wreath represents God’s unending love and eternal life that comes through Christ. Serving as a centerpiece throughout the Advent season, the Advent wreath provides a meaningful focal point for corporate or private worship. Lighting the candles each Sunday helps build Christmas anticipation and honor Christ’s coming.
Conclusion
The five candles of the Advent wreath hold rich symbolic meaning as they mark the weeks approaching Christmas. The typically colored candles are purple, purple, pink, red, and white. These colors represent hope, peace, joy, love, and Christ. Lighting these candles weekly instills a sense of thoughtful preparation for the Nativity of the Savior. With origins in 16th century Germany, the wreath remains a beloved Advent tradition practiced by many Christian denominations today. The increasing light visually marks the nearness of Jesus’ birth while reminding worshipers that Christ entered a darkened world to bring the light of salvation.