Folk signs about candles: why you should think twice before giving them as a gift

Candles have long been revered for their soft, warm glow and ability to create a cozy atmosphere. They are a popular choice for gifts, especially during the holidays. However, our ancestors had deep beliefs about the symbolism and energy associated with candles and often warned against giving or receiving them as gifts. SSPDaily tells you why you shouldn't give candles as gifts.

Gifts of good intentions

Our ancestors believed that candles should only be accepted as gifts from people you know well and trust. This precaution stemmed from the idea that candles carry energy, and receiving a candle from a stranger could bring bad luck to your home. When accepting candles, it is important to be sure of the sincere wishes of the person who gives them.

Avoid wax candles

Interestingly, traditional wisdom suggests that wax candles should not be given or received as gifts. Although the reasons for this are not always clearly stated, it may be due to the fact that wax candles are more commonly used for everyday purposes.

Watch out for signs of bad intentions

If you accept a candle as a gift, pay attention to how it burns. Our ancestors believed that a candle that burns strangely or makes crackling noises could be a gift with bad intentions. In such cases, it is recommended to extinguish the candle, take it out of the house and bury it in the ground to neutralize any negative energy associated with it.

Additional signs about candles

In addition to the above-mentioned precautions, our ancestors had several other beliefs and signs related to candles:

- Clear and continuous flame. A candle that burns brightly and without interruption was considered a sign of good news and peaceful life in the home.

- Do not light one candle from another. Lighting one candle from another, especially when you have many candles, was believed to bring financial difficulties.

- Do not blow out candles. Blowing out candles in the house was considered bad luck. Instead, it was recommended to extinguish them with your fingers or a special cap to keep the positive energy.

- Found candles. It was not recommended to bring found candles into the house as they could carry unknown energy or intentions.

- Accidentally extinguished candles. If a candle in the house accidentally fell or went out, our ancestors believed that it could be a harbinger of bad news.