Religious candles.

I’ve been fascinated with mythology, religion and superstition 

for as long as I can remember. As a Texas transplant I’m intrigued by Mexican (Texican?) religious candles. Not only are they incredibly cheap and plentiful, they’re also colorful and decorative! Plus, they have an interesting religious history to go along with them. 

The ancient Mexican religion, Nahua, began as a combination of several Mexican religions (practiced by the Toltecs Mayans and Zapotecs) that were later absorbed into Aztec beliefs. Nahua was polytheistic (believing in multiple deities). After the entry of the Spanish, the native religion combined with monotheistic Roman Catholicism but managed to retain some previous deities and rituals. One of the most popular Mexican Catholic images is the Virgin Mary or more specifically, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe). (Irrelevant side note: My favorite images of Our Lady are those airbrushed onto pick up trucks.) It’s a common saying that you’re not truly Mexican unless you believe in the Virgin of Guadalupe, who according to legend, appeared to a laborer and asked that a church be built on the site of a former Aztec temple. 

When worshiping saints, believers usually have a ritual in which they light a religious candle and ask for the Saint’s protection, intervention, blessing or wish. The Virgin is petitioned for miracles of love, health, money or progress. Religious candles have an image of a Saint on the candle and are usually accompanied by a prayer written on the back. The color of the candle also carries a meaning. For example,

· Blue- provides protection 

· White- increases health 

· Yellow- for business or work related petitions 

· Red- to increase love and passion 

· Pink- for protection in new romances 

· Green- for general luck 

· Purple- used for more energy 

· Black- used to revoke and return any bad thoughts from enemies 

Remember, the candle has to be burned out completely in order to receive the blessing or protection! 

Happy wishes! 

Sources:

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-give-to-your-candle-a-glow-1282064710.html

http://www.facts-about-mexico.com/mexican-religion.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/13/nyregion/13virgin.html