Being able to interpret candle flame meanings is a highly useful skill for anyone who is interested in understanding the spiritual world around them.
But it’s challenging!
This guide will teach you all of the common candle flame meanings that you’ll see, and how you can interpret their messages to help you navigate the path of life.
Table of Contents
Common Candle Flame Meanings
Fire is one of the most mysterious elements in our plane of existence. It has the power to destroy, but the warmth it produces is crucial to life and comfort. Fire is also symbolic of many things in the spiritual realm.
Studying the meaning of candle flames can provide valuable insights, shedding light on truths untold. Here’s how you can tell the difference between different candle flame movements and appearances?
1. Candle Flame Dancing
When you see a dancing flame, it appears to move rapidly from a single source. The fire remains contained to the candle, but the wisps of heat flicker in and out to create a stunning display of light and shadows.
The most common meaning of a dancing candle flame is that you have strong energy. The intentions you put forth into the universe are strong, but there could be things holding you back.
Obstacles exist, and it won’t be easy overcoming them. Opposing forces are causing your energy to behave a little more sporadic than you hoped. There’s still the potential for success, but you must maintain control.
Spiritualists often recommend taking a step back and considering the meaning of a dancing candle flame from a different perspective. Doing so could uncover new meaning you didn’t see before, providing insight into the obstacles that stand before you. Address those issues, and you can reclaim your power.
2. A Small Candle Flame
When you see a low and somewhat weak candle flame, your instinct is to think you lack power. However, that’s not necessarily the case.
You must remember that even weak flames can burn and spread! The biggest takeaway here is that you must practice patience.
A weaker candle flame means that there’s less energy fueling your intent. That’s alright, and there’s no need to try and increase it directly.
Instead, relish in the quiet peace and be patient. The typical interpretation here is that you must learn to be patient to reap your rewards.
You might be a person who’s used to running in guns blazing. But in life, patience can be just as challenging and scary as a run-and-gun attitude. Look inward and find your passion inside as you wait idly for a resolution to come.
3. Candle Flickering Meaning
A flickering candle flame means you could be in the presence of spirits.
We’ll get into more detail about this interpretation later, but the overarching theme is that the flames continue to react to the presence of guardians, lost loved ones, and others you’re trying to reach on the side.
4. Constant Crackling
There’s nothing more enjoyable than listening to a crackling fire by the hearth. But what is the meaning of a candle flame that continues to crackle incessantly?
While firewood crackling can bring peace, it’s not always something you want to hear with a candle.
Crackling candle flames mean that you’re dealing with communication issues in your life. The sound you hear and the constant going in and out is representative of physical stuttering.
Your communication skills are not working in your favor, and arguments are on the horizon. The intensity of the crackling might symbolize how serious these arguments are. In some cases, they can be life-changing.
Take this candle flame as a sign that you need to take action. Forces are trying to repel you. Now is your chance to focus your energy and create a change. Work on your communication skills and take time to foster a healthy relationship with whoever you’re arguing with at the moment.
5. A Steady Flame
The meaning of a steady candle flame is strongly connected to being in a state of peace. The flame provides steady light and a reliable source of warmth.
Spiritually, it means that your energy is just right. The power you put behind your intent is ideal, and you’re burning that energy with purpose.
The candle flame might not be the most passionate available, and most are relatively low and predictable. But that’s a good thing.
The steady candle flame means that you can still benefit from patience and understanding, but the power you put into the universe is doing precisely what it’s supposed to do. It’s not overbearing or at the risk of getting out of control.
You might notice the flame growing brighter and larger over time. That simply indicates that you’re making progress and putting steps into facilitating the changes you desire.
6. Flame Repeatedly Going Out
If you’re unable to keep the candle flame lit, there’s a vital meaning you must understand.
A candle that will not stay lit represents the end of your spiritual work. You’ve done enough with your energy for the time being, and the forces that be are rejecting any attempts to reignite the power you’ve utilized.
This sign might feel jarring. It’s easy to interpret it as a negative, but whether that’s true depends on many factors. You can only use your energy and power so much before the universe begins to reject it.
Don’t push your luck any further. Otherwise, it could end up hurting you in the long run.
7. Popping Candle Flame Meaning
The meaning of a popping candle flame is similar to one that continues to crackle. The popping sound is audible and unmistakable. Meanwhile, the dramatic physical dances of the flame are hard to ignore.
The meaning shares great similarities. Spiritualists say that poor communication is the most likely interpretation of a popping candle flame.
You may struggle to speak your truth in the real world. That could be with loved ones and friends. Alternatively, you might be untruthful to yourself.
In many cases, this popping occurs because you’re not being honest with how you’re utilizing your power. You must speak to what the candle flame is for and what it represents.
8. High Steady Candle Flame
A steady and high candle flame is a physical representation of the energy you give off. You have lofty goals, and many things are standing in your way of achieving them.
The candle flame means you have a need to persevere and overcome whatever obstacles you face, and you should harness that.
9. Two Flames
Seeing a candle develop two flames is a rare sight, and anyone doing energy work will take it seriously. But what does it mean?
It’s said that the meaning of two candle flames represent dual energies battling it out to the core. One flame represents your energy and the magic behind your intent. But the other is a mystery.
It’s symbolic of opposing energy that’s pushing back against your own. The other flame is preventing you from moving forward. There are many ways to manage these scenarios, but the ideal course of action is to combine the flames into one to create a shield of positive intent.
10. Jumping Candle Flame Meaning
When a flame jumps in a large fire, it acts unpredictably. On a candle, the movements are relatively contained. The flame can only go so far, but it doesn’t hesitate to put on a show on the way out.
The actions represent passionate energy and potentially volatile intentions. It’s a physical representation of love and anger. This candle flame likely means that you’re frustrated with someone in your life or are in the midst of a crossroads.
Whatever the case might be, this situation is challenging. While not yet overwhelming, it could challenge you in the future. Like a jumping flame, your energy can quickly spiral and cause destruction if not carefully managed.
11. Flame Making Significant Smoke
Smoke is a natural byproduct of fire. It occurs every time you blow out a candle. But sometimes, smoke can billow quite generously, leading to some interesting interpretations.
Generally, smoke and fire together show that the element of air is present. Air is the element of communication and observation. So seeing a candle flame that produces a significant amount of smoke means you must take a step back and observe the situation from another angle.
It’s not necessarily a good or bad sign. The point is that you must rethink your perspective and approach challenges differently than you currently are.
12. A Sputtering Candle Flame
Sputtering candles act similarly to popping or crackling candles. The experience is nearly identical, involving audible sounds and flickering light. Because the behavior is so close, these interpretations hold comparable meanings.
A sputtering candle can mean that frequent arguments are in your future. That’s not a pleasant interpretation, but there are some other possible meanings.
Some spiritualists say that sputtering comes with messages from your ancestors and guardians. In that case, the recommended course of action is to listen. Listen to the flames and try to identify the message your protectors are trying to send.
13. Bright Candle Flame Meaning
Finally, we come to our last candle flame meaning. Candles can sometimes burn noticeably brighter than usual. It’s as if they’re being fed by fuel, producing bright light you can’t ignore.
When this happens, it usually means that your energy is intense. You’re putting tons of power behind your intent, which will likely pay off in the future. You never know what’s going to happen, but the sheer power of your intentions will remove most barriers and unveil a path toward success.
Spiritual Meaning Of A Candle Flame That’s Too High
Flames soaring high into the air could mean one of two things. Take a step back, and this behavior can be puzzling. It’s as if the fire is stretching to the heavens, acting uncharacteristically calm despite the potential for the chaos it creates.
This type of flame comes with two distinct interpretations. The first is a positive meaning.
The spiritual meaning of a candle flame that’s too high can be that you need to practice perseverance. The message here is clear: Push yourself beyond your comfort zone and surpass your own expectations to create magic.
In this case, the flame is extending beyond its realistic means. There’s no rhyme or reason other than its pure drive to shine bright! Spiritualists say that seeing this behavior from a candle flame shows that you need to have that same mindset.
You’re capable of much more than you put into the world. Now is your chance to go farther and see what you’re truly made of!
Another possible meaning of a candle flame that’s too high is that you’re holding back a lot of power behind your intentions. That could mean that you have tons of untapped potential just burning below the surface. But, there are many barriers to success.
Once again, perseverance is critical. However, the energy you put behind yourself could cause you to burst through those barriers as if they are nothing. Fast and positive results are right around the corner.
What Does It Mean When A Candle Flickers?
The meaning of a flickering candle is, perhaps, one of the most perplexing. As mentioned earlier, flickering flames share an inherent connection with the spiritual realm.
Once again, there are a couple of potential meanings.
The most common meaning associated with a flickering candle flame is that spirits are near. When you observe a flickering flame, you’ll notice its illumination is unpredictable. It goes from super bright to super dark, creating a mess of shadows on anything it shines near.
It’s almost like someone constantly switches a light bulb on and off. That erratic behavior could mean that spirits are within your vicinity. You’re most likely to experience this phenomenon when you purposefully conjure guardian angels and protectors.
In that case, the flickering should be comfortable to your existence.
Another possible meaning of a flickering candle flame revolves around the energy in your space. Flickering represents how your energetic profile is sporadic and unpredictable. Like the flames causing a mess of brightness and darkness, your auric field is sparking in and out.
You might have imbalanced chakras or a general need to get in touch with yourself. Either way, something’s not right. You might not feel the difference immediately, but seeking help is a fantastic way to release bad energy into the ether and find peace.
The Meaning Of Different Color Candle Flames
When most people think of a candle flame, they picture the bright white and warm yellow illumination it provides. But it can actually take on many colors. Variances occur at different temperatures.
Metals and other additives can cause changes, too. The result is a captivating dance of out-of-this-world beauty. The different colors of a candle flame hold unique meanings.
Blue candle flames typically represent peace and calm. Blue is a naturally tranquil shade of the rainbow spectrum. In science, blue flames are hotter than traditional orange, yellow, or red.
But despite its potential to destroy, it symbolizes the occurrence of spirit and the peace that comes with it.
Red and yellow are two other common colors that occur in candle flames. Yellow represents earthy energy. This matters because it’s a stark difference from the appearance of fire around spiritual energy.
Some say that yellow flames are more mundane and spiritually stagnant. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Earthy energy is still valid, but it’s not as vibrant or vivacious as other hues.
Red could mean a few different things. The color is synonymous with passionate emotions. That could include lust or desire. However, it can also represent anger and wrath.
Either way, the color is one that you want to be careful around. Red candle flames mean there is brutal energy poised to cause emotional, spiritual, or even physical destruction.
If you see a pure white candle flame, it’s a good sign. White is the color of purity, and spiritualists say that white fire represents the protectors that surround you.
These flames accompany times of healing, bringing peace and prosperity.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, black flames carry a potentially darker message. While not always the case, these darker flames usually represent the mysteries of the unknown. They could be a source of negative energy.
Tips For Reading Candle Flames
Reading and understanding candle flame meanings isn’t easy. It’s one of the more challenging practices to master. But once you have a basic understanding of how to read fire, it can unveil important truths you never realized you had.
Fire pulls back the curtain and can help you understand what’s going on deep in your heart. Many believe this form of healing also redirects energy, helping you forge a path in life.
Fire is naturally unpredictable, so interpreting the meaning of candle flames can come with many challenges.
The most important tip is to view the flame from a fresh perspective. When you start looking for clues with a firm conviction in either direction, you can misinterpret candle flame meanings quite easily. Confirmation bias takes over, and it isn’t easy to see the messages for what they are.
Approach the reading with a clear mind and heart. Then, take a step back and observe the flame’s behavior. Things can change at any moment, but the key is to notice the general actions of the fire.
Note how big it is, which direction it points, and its colors. Write these details down and compare them with known interpretations to find the meaning of the candle flame you’re observing.
Closing Thoughts
There are a number of candle flame meanings out there, but interpreting them gets a lot easier once you know what to look for.
If you’re stuck on a particularly tricky candle flame, feel free to ask us! We’re always happy to connect with our readers and lend a hand.
