At the Easter Vigil, the church begins in darkness.
Then a single flame appears.
The Paschal Candle is carried into the church, and the priest proclaims, “The Light of Christ.” One by one, the entire church fills with light.
It is one of the most striking moments of the year.
But if you look closely at that candle, you’ll notice something else...it’s covered in symbols. None of them are decorative. Every one of them is intentional.
The Cross
At the center of the candle is always a cross.
This reminds us that the Resurrection cannot be separated from the Cross. Christ conquers death not by avoiding suffering, but by passing through it.
Alpha and Omega
You’ll usually see two Greek letters: Α (Alpha) and Ω (Omega).
These come directly from Scripture:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega… the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13).
They remind us that Christ is Lord of all time—everything begins and ends in Him.
The Year
The current year is inscribed on the candle.
This is easy to overlook, but it matters.
It means that the Resurrection is not just something that happened once long ago. Christ is alive now, in this moment, in this year.
The Five Grains of Incense
Five small “nails” or grains of incense are inserted into the candle.
They represent the five wounds of Christ: His hands, His feet, and His side.
Even in the light of the Resurrection, the wounds remain.
The Flame
And of course, the flame itself.
The Paschal Candle represents Christ as the Light of the World (John 8:12). It is lit at Easter, but it does not disappear after that.
It appears again at baptisms and funerals—at the beginning of life in Christ, and at the end—reminding us that His light does not go out.
All of these symbols together tell one story:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ is Lord of time, of suffering, and of life itself.
It’s easy to miss these details in the moment. But once you see them, you begin to realize that the Paschal Candle is not just part of the liturgy—it is a kind of silent proclamation of the Gospel.
If you want to bring that same reminder into your home during the Easter season, a Paschal-style candle can be a beautiful and meaningful addition.
Easter Paschal Candle
The Easter Paschal candle reflects the same rich symbolism found in the Church’s liturgy, helping you carry the light of Easter into your daily prayer and home life. With a fresh cotton scent and a 90-hour burn time, it beautifully weaves faith into your everyday home life.
Because the message of the Paschal Candle is not just for one night. It is meant to stay with us. Discover yours today at The Catholic Company!
