Candles have been used for thousands of years to provide light and ambiance. While all candles serve the same basic function of producing light from a wick in wax, there are some key differences between white candles and colored candles. The main differences have to do with the materials used to color the wax, the symbolism and meanings associated with different colors, and the prices.
What are candles made of?
All candles contain wax and a wick as the basic components. The wax helps fuel the flame by melting and being drawn up the wick, while the wick serves as the conduit to bring the melted wax to the flame.
Candle wax is typically made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct, or natural waxes like soy, palm, or beeswax. Paraffin burns cleanly and evenly, making it ideal for candlemaking. Natural waxes are often preferred by people looking to use renewable resources or avoid petroleum products.
The wick is made from cotton, paper, or other natural fibers that have been braided or twisted together. This allows the melted wax to travel up the wick through capillary action. The wick needs to be stiff enough to stand upright but flexible enough to bend as it burns without breaking.
Candle wicks are typically white in color. They may be dyed other colors to blend in with the candle color, but generally do not contribute any color on their own. The color comes solely from pigments added to the wax.
How are candles colored?
White candles get their color simply from the natural color of the base wax. No dyes or pigments are added. The wax may be bleached or filtered to remove impurities and achieve a pure white color.
Colored candles get their hue from pigments that are mixed directly into the melted wax. The pigments may be either synthetic dyes or natural minerals and pigments like iron oxide. Synthetic candle dyes provide a wider range of colors from bright primary hues to pastels. Natural mineral pigments tend to have more muted or earthy tones.
The colored pigment is typically mixed into the wax when it is melted during the candle making process. The liquid colored wax is then poured into molds or jars and allowed to cool and solidify into the final candle form.
Are white or colored candles more expensive?
On average, white paraffin candles tend to be the least expensive. Paraffin wax is relatively cheap and no dyes are required for white candles. However, high-quality beeswax or soy candles in white can still command premium pricing.
The price of a colored candle is largely determined by the type of dye used. Synthetic candle dyes allow for bright colors at low cost. But some people prefer to avoid synthetic additives and will pay more for candles colored exclusively with natural mineral pigments.
Luxury candles from high-end brands are often colored with pigments like cochineal, indigo, and ochre – ancient natural dyes that are labor intensive to produce. These types of colored candles using rare natural colorants can retail for quite high prices.
So in summary:
- Basic white paraffin candles tend to be the least expensive
- White natural wax candles command a small premium
- Synthetic dye colored candles have low material costs
- Natural mineral pigment colored candles are mid-range pricing
- Candles colored with exotic natural dyes are the highest priced
Meanings and symbolism of candle colors
Throughout history color has held mystical and spiritual symbolism. Each color is thought to evoke certain emotions, energies, and meanings. While these associations are highly subjective, they are often considered when selecting candle colors for spiritual rituals, meditation, or magical spell work.
Some commonly accepted color meanings for candles include:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| White | Purity, truth, peace |
| Red | Love, passion, lust |
| Pink | Romance, friendship, affection |
| Orange | Joy, creativity, enthusiasm |
| Yellow | Happiness, optimism, intellect |
| Green | Growth, health, wealth |
| Blue | Tranquility, patience, devotion |
| Purple | Spirituality, wisdom, royalty |
| Black | Mystery, shadows, deep thoughts |
Candle color meanings can vary slightly across different traditions, but these associations give a general sense for what each hue represents.
Candle colors in Wicca
Wicca and other modern witchcraft traditions draw heavily on color symbolism in spells and rituals. While the meanings are similar to the general associations described above, some colors have obtained more specific implications within Wicca.
| Color | Wiccan Meaning |
|---|---|
| White | Purity, cleansing, healing |
| Red | Love, health, courage |
| Pink | Affection, friendship, emotional healing |
| Orange | Energy, stimulation, ambition |
| Yellow | Wisdom, intellect, communication |
| Green | Growth, fertility, prosperity |
| Blue | Protection, tranquility, truth |
| Purple | Power, spirituality, progress |
| Black | Banishing negativity, binding, deep meditation |
| Brown | Animal magic, home life, heritage |
| Silver | Feminine energy, insight, vision |
| Gold | Masculine energy, fortune, success |
As an earth-based religion, Wicca focuses heavily on color associations from the natural world. Candle color magic is a key component of spells and rituals within the Wiccan tradition.
Candle colors in meditation
Candle meditation uses color symbolism to set a mood or intention. Focusing on the flame of a specific colored candle while meditating can conjure certain emotions and sensations.
Some examples of colored candle meanings in meditation:
- White: mental clarity, focus
- Red: energy, passion, courage
- Blue: calm, relaxation, peaceful reflection
- Purple: third eye opening, imagination
- Green: heart opening, healing
- Yellow: joy, optimism, intellect
Candle color meanings are deeply personal, so it is up to each individual to decide what color speaks to them in meditation. Selecting a colored candle that evokes a desired state of mind can enhance the meditative experience.
Candle colors in Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday celebrating community, family, and culture. Seven candles are displayed during Kwanzaa, each with symbolic meaning relating to Kwanzaa’s seven core principles.
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Black | Unity (Umoja) |
| Red | Self-determination (Kujichagulia) |
| Green | Collective work and responsibility (Ujima) |
| Yellow | Purpose (Nia) |
| Blue | Creativity (Kuumba) |
| Red | Faith (Imani) |
| Green | Hope for the future |
Candles provide an important symbolic light during Kwanzaa celebrations, with their colors deeply tied to Kwanzaa principles and ideals.
Conclusion
While white and colored candles serve the same basic purpose, colored candles carry a deeper meaning through their hue. The pigments and dyes used to produce candle colors have a rich history of mystical, spiritual, and cultural symbolism. Whether in Wiccan rituals, meditation practices, or celebrations like Kwanzaa, candle color selection is imbued with a powerful significance that white candles cannot provide. From the bright synthetic dyes of commercial candles to rare natural pigments used in luxury brands, color adds an important layer of meaning and dimension to the age-old candle.
