How do you light the kinara for Kwanzaa?
According to the Official Kwanzaa Website, the proper order of lighting the Kinara is to:
- First day: Light the black candle on the first day of Kwanzaa.
- Second day: You’ll light the black candle and the far left red candle.
- Third day: You’ll light the black candle and the two far left red candles.
What does it mean to light the kinara?
Put your candles in the kinara. You’ll replace each one you burn daily. The colors have symbolic meanings. The black candle represents the African people, the red candles symbolize their struggles, and the green represents hope for the future.
How do you light a candle on kinara?
During the week of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the kinara each day. The center black candle is lit first, and the lighting then proceeds from left to right, the new candle being lit corresponding to the principle of that day.
What do the candles in the kinara represent?
Kinara (Kee-nah-rah) – The candle holder represents the original stalk from which all African ancestors came.
How do I set up kinara?
Place a kinara as the centerpiece of your mat. The black candle, which represents the people, goes in the middle. The three red candles, which represent continuing struggle, belong on the left. And the green candles, which represent the future, go on the right.
How many candles does a kinara hold?
An important tradition in Kwanzaa has to do with a candle holder called the kinara. It holds seven candles, including three red ones, three green ones and a single black candle. Each day during Kwanzaa, one candle is lit, so that all of them will be burning brightly come the seventh day.
What is the difference between a kinara and a menorah?
As nouns the difference between menorah and kinara is that menorah is (judaism) a holy candelabrum with seven branches used in the temple of jerusalem while kinara is a candle holder used in kwanzaa celebrations.
What do the 7 Kwanzaa candles stand for?
‘ The seven candles (Mishumaa Saba): These represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa – unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
In what order do you light Kwanzaa candles?
The official lighting direction is to light the center black candle first, then proceed from left to right, beginning with the leftmost red candle. Alternatively, some prefer to light the center black candle first, then alternate between red and green candles, beginning with the leftmost red candle, followed by the rightmost green candle, and so on, moving from the outer candles inward.Kwanzaa / Candle lighting direction
How do you light Kwanzaa candles?
The Kwanzaa candle colors are black, red, and green. On the second day, the red candle on the immediate right of the unity candle is burned. On day three, the green candle on the immediate left side of the unity candle is lit, and then the candles continue to alternate until you reach day seven.
What does Umoja mean?
Unity
Umoja (Unity) To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
How is it like the menorah lit for Hanukkah and the kinara lit for Kwanzaa?
Each night during Kwanzaa a candle is lit. The black, center, candle is lit first and then it alternates between the red and green candles stating with the ones on the outside and moving inwards. This is quite similar to the lighting of the menorah in the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah.