Unity Candle

Jodi73 Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:02 AM

Unity Candle

Don't laugh, but I am not too sure of the meaning of a unity candle. Can someone please explain. Also, does it have to do with a specific religion?

Sassy Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:05 AM

Re: Unity Candle

No specific religion, I dont think, what it is the symbolism of joining of two lives/families, etc.. .into ONE.

Jodi73 Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:06 AM

Re: Unity Candle

Thanks Liz,
Where can they be purchased?

jennbaby Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:06 AM

Re: Unity Candle

I am Catholic and I can explain for my religion.
The Unity candle that is lit by the bride and groom often symbolizes their separate lives being joined together, thus extinguishing the separate lights of the side candles and the combining to light the single large center candle.

Sassy Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:09 AM

Re: Unity Candle

jenn, you explained it better than me

Jodi, you can get them anywhere that sells favors, bridal centers like Commack Wedding Center has a ton of them.
Or if you're an online shopper, you can get them online, or on Ebay.
You can just go to the Mall, and they will have booths selling them..
Unity Candles are everywhere

jennbaby Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:09 AM

Re: Unity Candle

If you are catholic, most times your church provides the unity candle,m however, double check with your church.
They can also be purchased. I chose to purchase my Unity Candle. It's by Lenox and I bought it off Ebay

Sassy Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:09 AM

Re: Unity Candle

The Unity Candle idea is very meaningful to me

Jodi73 Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:11 AM

Re: Unity Candle

Girls,
Thanks so much for the information. I am Jewish so I can not ask the church! I like the idea. Where does the candle get lit?

jennbaby Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:13 AM

Re: Unity Candle

My best friend/MOH is Jewish and she did one, however she was married at her hall by a justice of the peace (her husband is catholic). It is lit during your ceremony.

Sassy Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:13 AM

Re: Unity Candle

What do you mean where?
Like where? I guess if you're getting married in a Temple (are you?) you have to ask and make sure they will do it. SOmeone lights the 2 tapers on the sides (either Moms, or someone else significant) or you can just have them lit from the beginning. Then when it somes to that point in the ceremony, you and groom take one taper each and light the middle one together.

Jodi73 Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:14 AM

Re: Unity Candle

Again thanks for the info. I am getting married at my hall so I will do it there.

Edited to say:
I meant at the ceremony or the reception.

jennbaby Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:20 AM

Re: Unity Candle

lol liz you are too cute

Sassy Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:22 AM

Re: Unity Candle

Jenn, who me?????

jennbaby Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:23 AM

Re: Unity Candle

yes you, forum mail.

Jodi, you are welcome

Sassy Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:25 AM

Re: Unity Candle

Cindy Posted: Jan 04, 2003 09:33 AM

Re: Unity Candle

They have a whole bunch online which is where I was going to order mine, but found one at fantasyland in Patchogue.

Kris Posted: Jan 04, 2003 10:14 AM

Re: Unity Candle

I thought this was a Catholic tradition. AT our mass the priest explained it as at our baptism, our candle was lit by our godparents representing our lives. Our mothers then lit the candle at our mass and passed the candle to us. We then lit the center candle and extinguished our individual candle. It symolizes that two have become one. And we are one with Christ, as he is the light of the world.

I don't think you will be able to do this in an entirely Jewish ceremony.

Sassy Posted: Jan 04, 2003 10:17 AM

Re: Unity Candle

KRIS, the Unity Candle was not meant ONLY for Catholics
I'm sure it IS a Catholic tradition, as well as a Baptist tradition, etc. . . . .

Who's to say a Jewish ceremony CANNOT use this? Or that a non-religous ceremony cant.
These are symbolic, but they are symbolic to the COUPLE getting married, and what the UNity Candle means to them, not to you or the next couple.

JODI, use the Unity Candle, it does NOT matter that you're Jewish.

Kris Posted: Jan 04, 2003 10:23 AM

Re: Unity Candle

LIZ-

Don't get all bent out of shape. I was not forbidding Jodi to do this. She can do whatever she wants. I hope she can, b/c I think it is a beautiful symbolic part of a wedding. I merely pointed out that OUR PRIEST described it that way during our mass. I don't know if a JEWISH OFFICIANT will allow this. We all know that our religions and officiants have very strict rules about certain things, etc. I doubt that if I wanted a Ketubah, my priest would have supported that. JMO