What do the symbols on a baptismal candle mean?

Answer 1

Baptismal candles are manufactured by different companies and different groups. Some groups apply or paint their own symbols on candles. Thus not all baptismal candles have the same symbols.

Here are a few you may encounter: * Water - quite obvious, as baptism requires the pouring of water on the candidate. Water is a symbol of cleansing and purification. It spiritually represents the cleansing of the soul from sin and the washing away of the "old" man and emergence of the "new" one in the Christian life.

* Seashell - St. John the Baptist is often portrayed baptizing people with a scallop shell in Christian iconography. John administered full immersion baptisms and so would probably not have needed to use a shell, however, it is a symbol of administering baptism.

* Dove - When he was baptized a dove descended upon Him when he emerged from the waters. The dove represents the Holy Ghost/Spirit; when baptized, grace enters the soul.

* Chalice - baptism gains its redemptive benefits and power over sin thanks to the sacrifice of Christ. The chalice is a reminder of the price of sin, for Christ shed His blood that we might have grace.

* Cross - the quintessential Christian symbol. Baptism is the initiation rite into the Christian community and spiritual life.

* P on an X - properly called the "Chi-Rho" or "Sigla" these are the first letters for "Christ" in Greek. these letters constitute the letters Constantine saw in a vision before his victory over the eastern empire and have been used to identify Christians ever since.