Votive Candles
Votive candles are those small candles, about two inches tall and slightly less than two inches around. They are used for decorating for many holidays and come in a large selection of colors and even in different scents.
Votive
These candles gained usage in the Roman Catholic Church and this site http://frraul.com/faith/objects/fire.html says of them: “When you enter a Catholic church, you might see a shrine, small side chapels or side altars with statues or icons and rows of votive candles. The word "votive" comes from the Latin "votum" meaning "vow," and these candles (which aren't blessed) are, when lit, used to symbolize our prayers, vows of prayer, or simply our honoring God or one of His Saints.
They are lit by the people outside of Mass (before or after, or during simple visits to a church) — usually for a specific intention. It's a very Catholic thing to say to someone that you will "light a candle for them," meaning that you will pray for them and ritually symbolize those prayers by the lighting of votives. It's not uncommon, too, to find these intentions written out and placed near the candles. Another common reason to light votive candles is out of gratitude to God for answered prayers.
We light the candle while praying for our intention or offering our thanks and then leave the flame burning as signs of our prayers.”
So they started as candles used to signify praying for a specific thing or person, but now they are used for mainly as decoration in a person’s home. The candles used in churches are typically white in color and unscented, but the majority of the other uses are as colored candles for festive occasions or as scented candles for ambience or mood setting.
Votive Candles
They are often known as those short little candles that fit almost anywhere and make great holiday decorations. As they are small they are easily decorated as craft projects and make a great craft project for children to decorate as gifts.
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