Grave candle

{{Short description|Candle lit in memory of the dead}} [[File:Graves in a Polish cemetery, decorated with candles for All Saints' Day on November 1st, Zabrze, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, November 2024 (2).jpg|thumb|Grave candles on All Saints' Day in Poland]] thumb|Grave candle with flowers A '''grave candle''', '''grave lantern''', '''death candle''' or '''death lantern''' is a type of candle or lantern, which is lit in memory of the dead or to commemorate solemn events. The form of a lantern is commonly used in Christianity, whereas candles are more common in Judaism (where they are known as the Yahrzeit candle).

The tradition has been adopted by Christianity from the earlier pagan tradition.<ref name=tvp/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zeitung |first=Saarbrücker |date=2016-02-02 |title=Grablicht-Hülle von SZ-Leser-Reporter fängt plötzlich Feuer |url=https://www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de/saarland/saarbruecken/saarbruecken/saarbruecken/grablicht-huelle-von-sz-leser-reporter-faengt-ploetzlich-feuer_aid-1661352 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Saarbrücker Zeitung |language=de}}</ref>

The grave lanterns, known as ''znicz'', are a common tradition in Poland.<ref name=tvp>{{Cite web | url= http://www.tvp.pl/bialystok/aktualnosci/spoleczne/zaduszkowe-tradycje/8984919 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018032459/http://www.tvp.pl/bialystok/aktualnosci/spoleczne/zaduszkowe-tradycje/8984919 | archive-date=2013-10-18 | title=Zaduszkowe tradycje | language=pl | trans-title=All Souls' Day traditions | website=www.tvp.pl}}</ref>

==See also== *Candlelight vigil *Lychnapsia *Votive candle

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://libris.kb.se/bib/23468?vw=full Ljusen på gravarna och andra ljusseder : nya traditioner under 1900-talet ]

Category:Candles Category:Christianity and death Category:Death customs Category:Light fixtures