Wax candles seem like the prayer of bees. Who has never paused before a candle in a sacred place, drawn to its light in the darkness, its fragrance, its warmth? In the whirlwind of daily life, in the confusion of true and false, the wax candle stands like a stop sign, reminding us that we need pauses and authenticity. A real wax candle connects us to the infinite, from the labor of bees to the heavens.
Light, whiteness, and the senses
The word “candle” comes from the Latin candÄ“re, meaning “to be white, to shine.” And in darkness, there is a need for light—true candlelight. It is a symbol of life, and bees play a crucial role in it. Have you ever stepped into a dimly lit ancient church, where the brilliant white light of a candle lifted you up?
The physical presence of a candle engages the senses. Sight first, as it finds infinity in the dark. Smell, as the scent of wax immediately brings peace. Hearing—if you listen closely, you can hear the gentle sound of the flame burning. Touch, as your fingers perceive the comforting texture of wax. And taste? Well, for that, we must step out of our ancient church and head to a candlelit dinner with a loved one, whose face becomes even more beautiful reflected in the flickering glow of the flame.
This is the night. Candles, The Bees’ Prayer
On Easter night, churches are shrouded in darkness until suddenly the firelight enters and ignites the Paschal candle. The great candle is blessed, engraved with the Alpha and Omega, the four cardinal points—where the infinite and the present meet—and the chant begins: “This is the night…” followed by “in the solemn liturgy of the candle, the fruit of the labor of bees, a symbol of the new light.”
Candles hold a central role in liturgy, from the baptismal candle to the blessing of candles, but also in personal prayer. When you light a candle before the Virgin Mary or a saint, it continues to pray for you. The prayer of the bees carries on while you are at work—silent, powerful, infinite.
Candles in religions
In Orthodox Christianity, candles welcome those who enter the church and are an integral part of prayer. They must contain a high percentage of beeswax, making them real and authentic, irreplaceable by artificial lights activated by a coin. The truth of the flame and the wax deepens prayer, because everything is connected.
In Buddhism, candles are part of offerings alongside flowers, incense, water, and food before the statue of Buddha. In Judaism, one of the primary symbols is the Menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum whose flames represent divine light. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is intimately tied to the lighting of candles—eight, one per day. In Morocco, in Salé, a long candlelit procession commemorates the birth of Muhammad. In Taoist altars, two candles stand: one for Yin, the moon, and one for Yang, the sun. For Zoroastrians, the flame is the central element. In Hinduism, torches, lights, and candles are woven into the very fabric of prayer.
Beeswax candles to create our space—for prayer or well-being
A candle on our dining table makes a meal more romantic, but be mindful of the scent, which should not interfere with the aroma of food. A neutral beeswax candle is ideal. To create a meditation space at home, candles are essential—but remember to extinguish them once your moment of reflection is over. In the evening, dimming the lights and lighting candles in the living room can help prepare for sleep. A bath surrounded by candlelight transports the mind to distant journeys. Birthday cakes are incomplete without candles. A candle to remember those who are no longer with us. A candle for peace.
One of the most beautiful memories of my life is tied to candles. It was Christmas, 1974. I was seven years old, traveling with my parents and my brother in a bright orange Volkswagen van across the Sahara Desert in Algeria. For days, we had met no one along the sandy trails. On Christmas Eve, my mother prepared a delicious dinner, illuminated only by candles that reflected off the tiny adhesive stars we had stuck to the van’s ceiling. Outside, we had built a nativity scene with clay figurines we had painted ourselves. The grotto was made of desert roses and was lit by a single beeswax candle.
