Winter Holiday Candle Burning Traditions

The  Winter Holidays are a time of hope, joy, and rich traditions marked by the warm glow of candlelight. Across so many cultures and religions, you’ll find families this time of year gathered around tables burning candles for both ritual and relaxation. At Big Dipper Wax Works, we know the value of togetherness, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with high quality, non-toxic candles that become the centerpiece of the holiday’s most cherished traditions.

The Tradition of Burning Advent Tapers: A Symbol of Hope and Anticipation

The word “Advent” itself comes from the Latin “adventus,” meaning “coming” or “arrival.” During this time, Christians reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth and prepare their hearts for His second coming. The tradition of lighting candles during this period dates back to the Middle Ages, with practices evolving over the centuries. The most well-known of these is the Advent wreath, a circular arrangement of candles, usually four, one for each week of Advent.

The first candle lit is often purple or violet, representing hope and the longing for Christ’s coming. The second, also purple, symbolizes peace, reminding Christians of the peaceful reign Christ will bring. The third candle is typically rose-colored, representing joy as the time for Christ’s birth nears. Finally, the fourth candle, also purple, signifies love and the readiness to welcome Christ.

Our  Beeswax Advent Tapers follow these color traditions and come in a set complete with 3 Violet (or as we call it, Eggplant) Taper Candles and one Rose (or as we call it, Cherry Blossom) Taper Candle. Like all of our Taper Candles, these are carefully hand-dipped by a steady hand into large vats of molten beeswax and packaged by hand–a labor of love to celebrate the season of Advent with you.

The Tradition of Burning Hanukkah Tapers: A Symbol of Miracles and Light

The tradition of burning Hanukkah tapers is a powerful symbol of light, faith, and hope. It connects Jewish people to their history and heritage, while also providing a visual representation of the miracles that took place more than two millennia ago. The act of lighting the menorah serves as both a personal and communal expression of joy, faith, and resilience. It’s a way of remembering the struggle for religious freedom and the divine intervention that helped preserve the Jewish people during a difficult time.

Lighting the Hanukkah tapers is not just an individual or religious act—it is a communal and family tradition. Jewish families gather each night to light the menorah together, often reciting prayers, singing traditional songs such as "Maoz Tzur," and playing games like dreidel. The lighting of the menorah fosters a sense of togetherness, creating a shared experience that strengthens familial bonds and reinforces Jewish identity.

Our  Beeswax Hanukkah Tapers come in boxes of 45 Tapers each, available in Natural Beeswax and Multi-Colored Beeswax, and burn for 75 minutes each. Like all of our Taper styles, our Hanukkah Tapers are all hand-dipped with care by our skilled artisans and packaged by hand to ensure quality the utmost care for every candle–each being a pivotal symbol in the traditions of Hanukkah.

The Importance of Burning Beeswax Candles

In the busy candle burning season, it’s important to know the right types of wax to choose from when selecting these pillars of your traditions. Beeswax candles offer not only longer burn times than all other waxes, but also health benefits. Burning beeswax in your home, unlike other types of wax, actually purifies the air by releasing negative ions that reduce dust, allergens, and pollutants. Burning candles made of other waxes, such as paraffin wax, can release toxins into the air and damage the air quality of your home.

At Big Dipper Wax Works, we take pride in our commitment to quality, sustainability, and the overall health of our customers and the environment. Our handcrafted candles of all styles, colors, and scents are made with the utmost care to provide you with candles you can feel confident burning in your home–especially during the holidays.

To find more of our holiday themed beeswax candles, be sure to check out our  Winter Holidays Collection.