People put candles in their windows for historical, religious, and aesthetic reasons, symbolizing welcome, hope, and a connection to tradition, especially during winter holidays, to guide travelers, welcome priests (Irish Catholics), remember loved ones, or simply for cozy ambiance, with modern electric versions making the practice safer and popular.
Candles in windows have always been considered a sign of welcome to others. In early America, when homes were often miles apart, the sight of a distant candle in a window was a sign of ``welcome'' to those wishing to visit.
A tradition rooted in faith
The single candle in the window offered a signal to passing travelers that they would find shelter and warmth within. It was also meant to symbolically light the way for Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem, where Jesus woudld be born.
Irish Catholics began lighting candles in their windows and leaving their doors unlocked at Christmas as a sign it was safe for a priest to visit under the cover of darkness. Although the meaning of lighting a candle may have been lost by some over the years, it is still continued by families all over the globe.
In Ireland and Scotland, a candle in the window during midwinter signaled to travelers that the hearth was warm and the door would be opened to those in need. Some say it honored Mary and Joseph seeking shelter; others say it was a remnant of older customs inviting ancestral spirits to step close on long winter nights.
Placing a candle in the window
It is believed that this tradition may have originated during the 16th century when the Penal Laws banned Irish Catholics from practising their religion. Those who continued in secret placed a candle in the window as a sign of welcome to priests or to indicate the location of mass.
During Christmastime, Catholic families would leave their doors unlocked and a candle burning in the window to let the priest know he was welcome in their home. With the many waves of Irish immigration to America, the tradition took root here and continued to evolve.
In addition to being lighted in the windows of the homes of Jewish families, menorahs are often found in public spaces today in the United States. But before the 1970s, Hanukkah was a more low-profile holiday.
Matthew 5:15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Traditionally, Catholic families light candles on the night of November 1 & 2 as they remember their departed loved ones. One great symbolism of this act is that the light from the candle is the light of hope and light that will lead the souls to enter into eternity.
Installing DIY Candles in windows
I used a little sticky tack to help keep it in place on the window. It helps to keep it stuck, but without forever adhering. These candles provided charm and a festive look this Christmas Advent season!
Every Christmas Eve we placed a single red candle in the window. My mother always told me we were lighting the way for Mary and Joseph on their way to find the stable in Bethlehem. Our family candle lighting ritual signaled Christmas had finally arrived and the wait of Advent was over.
The tradition is most commonly associated with the Christian story of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Irish families place a lighted candle in the window to welcome Mary and Joseph, symbolising shelter and kindness as they searched for refuge in Bethlehem.
Matthew 5:14-16 King James Version (KJV)
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Whether you belong to a faith tradition or not, lighting a candle after a loss is a powerful gesture of love, comfort, and memory. In its flame we see life: fragile yet glowing, fleeting yet meaningful. From a single candle at home to large memorial services, the ritual remains deeply important.
In a quite unique way, candles radiate messages of romance, passion, security, warmth, hope, spirituality, mystery, to name just a few. Candles indeed are a burning example that the whole is more than sum of its parts – be they just a little wax and wick as they are.
In Colonial America, candles might be placed in windows for many reasons: to remember a lost loved one, to rejoice in a family member's safe return, to signify a birth or in gratitude for a blessing. Inns sometimes used window candles to indicate that rooms were available.
In the New Testament, the seven lamps or candles represent the Spirit of God and His work among His Church (Revelation 1:12-13). Within Catholicism, the seven-candlestick holder remains on the altar as a symbol of the presence of God.
Religious Interpretations
The candle was also seen as a symbol of welcome for Mary and Joseph as they searched for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Today, candles in windows are a common sight in Christian homes during the Christmas season, representing the light of Christ that has come into the world.
One of the most enduring traditions of popular piety in the Catholic Church is the practice of lighting a votive candle for a deceased loved one. Many Catholic churches throughout the world have an area dedicated to the lighting of votive candles.
Accordingly, the practice of lighting candles during special times of worship and prayer is common in Christianity as it can assist in focusing one's thoughts and prayers on Jesus, “the author and perfector of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
The origin of putting candles in windows during Christmas dates back hundreds of years and can be traced to various traditions across cultures. In Colonial America, candles in windows symbolized hospitality and warmth. They were placed in windows as a way to welcome travelers or loved ones returning home.
The 8:10 rule for candles refers to using an 8-ounce candle for every 10 feet (or 10 square feet) of space to achieve an even fragrance throw, ensuring scents fill large areas without being too concentrated or weak, while also spacing them safely (about 3 inches apart) for proper burning. It's a guideline for "fragrance architecture" to create a consistent scent experience by matching candle size to room size.
The tradition of burning a candle in the window continues in many homes today. It can be seen as a way of combating darkness, of the night, of the winter, and of the world. It is also a sign of welcome and sharing your light with neighbours.
While the Christmas season is a joyous time, it is also a difficult time for those dealing with loss. Especially those families who lost a loved one in law enforcement. Blue candles are used to memorialize fallen officers and K9s.