Advent candles

The Advent wreath with four lighted candles is a Christian tradition, but it probably has its origins in the Jewish Hanukkah festival of lights, during which people light eight candles on a special candlestick.

The traditional Christian Advent wreath first saw the light of day in the 19th century. It was born as a spontaneous idea of the priest and educator Johann Heinrich Wichern, who wanted to make orphans happy. The priest placed 23 candles on the first Advent wreath. He hung the wreath in the dining room and lit an extra candle every day until Christmas Day.

The idea was such a success that soon a modern type of Advent wreath was created in Aachen, the shape of which we still use today. This wreath was equipped with only four candles, which were lit every Sunday.

Candles on a wreath are not just decorative elements. They have a very strong symbolic meaning, which is intended to inspire people to contemplation and humility in the run-up to Christmas. Each candle has a specific color and name. They cannot be ignited randomly, they should be ignited in a precisely determined order.

Candles on the Advent wreath and their symbolism

1st Advent candle: First we light a candle called Hope. This year, the first Sunday of Advent (Iron) is published on December 3.

2nd Advent candle: A week later on December 10 (Bronze Sunday) you will light a candle called the Bethlehem candle. This candle symbolizes Peace.

3rd Advent candle: Silver Sunday falls on December 17 this year. On this day, you light a candle, which is called the Shepherd's candle and symbolizes Friendship.

4th Advent candle: Golden Sunday falls on Christmas Day, December 24 this year. On this day, you will light the last candle, which is called Love.

5th Advent candle: On Christmas Day after sunset, you can then add a fifth candle to the middle of the wreath, which, according to tradition, symbolizes Jesus Christ himself.