Candlestick

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
British Neoclassical candlestick, 1774-1775, silver, overall: 29.5 × 15.6 × 15.6 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City)

A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place. Candlesticks have a cup or a spike ("pricket") or both to keep the candle in place. Candlesticks are sometimes called "candleholders".

Before the proliferation of electricity, candles were carried between rooms using a chamberstick, a short candlestick with a pan to catch dripping wax.[1]

Although electric lighting has phased out candles in much of the world, candlesticks and candelabras are still used in homes as decorative elements or to add atmosphere on special occasions.

Religious use

Gloucester Candlestick

Candles and candlesticks are also used frequently in religious rituals and for spiritual means as both functional and symbolic lights.

In

menorah
that holds eight candles plus an extra one for lighting the others.

Tall candlesticks and altar lamps are often found in Christian churches as well.[2]

A special set of two- and three-branched candelabras called the

Eastern Orthodox
bishops to bless people at worship services.

A triple candlestick was used before 1955 in the Catholic Church.

See also

References

  1. ^ Snowdon, Louise (August 10, 2017). "What is a Chamberstick?". AC Silver. Archived from the original on 2017-08-18.
  2. ^ "Catholic Encyclopedia: Altar Candlesticks". Retrieved 14 October 2014.

External links