In Christian ceremonies, a unity candle symbolizes the merging of two families into one.

In select Christian ceremonies, a poignant and visually striking tradition known as the unity candle ritual serves as a powerful symbol of the merging of two families into a harmonious and indivisible whole. The ritual often involves three candles: two taper candles, each representing the individual lives, stories, and families of the bride and groom, and a larger central candle, symbolizing the newly formed union.

As the ceremony unfolds, the bride and groom, often accompanied by their respective parents, approach the taper candles. With a shared flame, the couple jointly lights the central unity candle, signifying the beginning of their journey together. The symbolism radiates beyond the flames themselves, mirroring the interconnectedness of their lives, the families they were born into, and the family they are nurturing and creating anew.

This ritual encapsulates the Christian values of love, harmony, and the interdependence that marriage fosters. Just as the flames of the taper candles combine to kindle the larger unity candle, the two families join in their support, love, and blessings to nurture the flame of the new partnership. It is a visual representation of the biblical concept that "two shall become one flesh," reflecting the transformative power of love to bridge divides and forge unbreakable bonds.