Author: florist Andrea, KvětinyExpres.cz · Updated: October 2026
An Advent wreath with four candles belongs to Christmas as much as the scent of fir. But do you know what each candle means, what colour it should be and when to light which one? Here you will find the dates for Advent 2026, the meaning of the candles and the wreath, and tips for keeping the wreath fresh.
When to Light the Advent Candles in 2026
Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Eve. This year you light:
- 1st Sunday of Advent, 29 November 2026: the first candle
- 2nd Sunday of Advent, 6 December 2026: two candles
- 3rd Sunday of Advent, 13 December 2026: three candles
- 4th Sunday of Advent, 20 December 2026: all four candles
This year Christmas Eve falls on Thursday, 24 December.
Our Advent Wreaths
What the Four Advent Candles Symbolise
A lit candle symbolises hope and the approaching light of Christmas. According to tradition, each of the four Sundays has its own meaning:
- First candle: hope (the Prophets' candle). The countdown to Christmas Eve begins.
- Second candle: peace (the Bethlehem candle). A time to calm down and slow down.
- Third candle: joy (the Shepherds' candle). In some families friendship is mentioned instead of joy.
- Fourth candle: love (the Angels' candle). Anticipation peaks and the whole family comes together.
In the Catholic tradition a fifth, white Christ candle is sometimes added in the middle of the wreath. It is lit on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day and symbolises Jesus as the light of the world.
Neither the names of the candles nor the order of their meanings are uniform. Different sources use other names (for example the candle of the patriarchs or of John the Baptist) and the meanings are sometimes swapped. Choose the interpretation that feels right to you.
Where the Advent Wreath Comes From
The father of today's form is considered to be the German Protestant theologian Johann Hinrich Wichern of Hamburg. In 1839 he hung a large wooden wheel with candles for children from poor families: small red ones for weekdays and larger white ones for Sundays, so the children could see Christmas getting closer. A forerunner may have been the Austro-Bavarian "paradeisl", a decoration of fir branches with apples and candles, although its origin is disputed. The custom first caught on among German Protestants and reached Catholic churches only in the 1920s. In Czechia it is relatively young, and wreaths are blessed in Catholic churches on the first Sunday of Advent.
The Advent Wreath Around the World: How the Custom Differs by Country
There is no single form of the Advent wreath. Sources differ in the details, so take this overview as a guide only.
- Czechia: the custom is relatively young and candle colours are not fixed. In Catholic churches wreaths are blessed on the first Sunday of Advent. Aesthetics tend to dominate here, so you will find red, white, copper and purple candles.
- Germany: the cradle of the wreath. It arose in a Protestant setting (Wichern, Hamburg 1839) and Catholics adopted it only in the 1920s. Colours vary by region: red candles dominate in some places, in Catholic areas most often three purple and one pink.
- United Kingdom: four red candles are common in Protestant churches, linked to the themes of hope, the prophets, John the Baptist and Mary. Home-made wreaths were popularised in Britain in 1964 by the children's programme BBC Blue Peter, which showed one made of wire coat hangers and tinsel.
- USA and the English-speaking world: in the USA the custom arrived only in the 1930s, even among German Lutherans. Churches use purple or blue and the third candle is pink. In English-speaking countries (Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia) a fifth, white "Christ candle" in the centre appears on wreaths much more often than here; it is lit on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day.
- Scandinavia: in Lutheran Norway four purple candles are lit. In Sweden, according to one source, the first candle is white and the others purple.
- Ireland: three purple candles, one pink and a fifth, white one in the centre.
- Orthodoxy: some families have a wreath with six candles, one for each week of the longer fast before Christmas. The information comes from a single source and may not reflect present-day practice.
What Colour Should Advent Candles Be
- Purple and pink: in Catholic tradition three candles are purple (repentance and reflection) and one is pink, lit on the third Sunday and symbolising joy.
- Red and gold: in Protestant and Orthodox traditions red (life and love) and gold (the victory of good) are often chosen.
- Blue: popular mainly in the USA and Britain, meant to set Advent apart from Lent.
- Red and honey-coloured: for a traditional look Andrea recommends red or honey-coloured candles.
- White: a modern, calm variant. According to Pantone, creamy white is the colour of 2026.
- Copper and gold: a more festive look that suits natural materials.
In Czechia the colours are not fixed. Our wreaths come with deep red, copper and snow-white candles. For a table wreath you can change the candle colour in the order note.
What the Advent Wreath Symbolises
The circle has no beginning or end and symbolises eternity, the immortality of the soul and the unity of the family around one table. Green evergreen branches mean life and hope even in the middle of winter.
Tip from florist Andrea: "Many people buy artificial wreaths, but they're missing the main thing – scent and living energy. A traditional Advent wreath should be made of fresh evergreen branches (fir, non-shedding thuja). The circle symbolizes eternity, and the green color symbolizes life. How to keep it fresh? Mist it gently with a water spray bottle every couple of days (careful around the candles). It'll stay beautiful all the way through Christmas Eve."
Poinsettia, Amaryllis and Holly to Go With the Wreath
Table Wreath or Door Wreath?
A table wreath comes with four candles. A door wreath has no candles and is made on a straw base with dried fruit, so frost does not bother it outside and, according to Andrea, it lasts the whole winter.
How to Handle an Advent Wreath
- Placement: away from heating. Misted with water from time to time, the greenery stays beautiful for a full four weeks, that is, the whole of Advent.
- Candles: never leave them burning unattended and use non-flammable candle holders. Each candle should stand in a cup or on a spike so dripping wax does not damage the surface.
- Greenery: we tie it from fresh, non-shedding fir greenery (Nobilis and Nordmann).
Tip from florist Andrea (Old Bohemian wreath): "This wreath is a classic that never disappoints. Fir branches beautifully scent the entire apartment. I recommend choosing traditional red or honey candles to emphasize the Old Bohemian character. Don't forget to lightly mist the wreath occasionally so the needles stay fresh throughout Advent."
By When to Order an Advent Wreath 2026
The first Sunday of Advent this year is 29 November 2026. For the wreath to arrive in time, order in Prague by Friday 27 November and for other cities by Thursday 26 November. We add the wreaths to the range by 16 November at the latest. You can also buy them at our shop in Strašnice or on Saturday at the market at Kulaťák. You will find a guide to tying one yourself in the article How to Make an Advent Wreath.
Choose a Christmas Bouquet to Go With the Wreath
Christmas delivery 2026: We accept online orders until 5 p.m. on 23 December. On 24 December we deliver in the 9–12 time window and the shop is closed. We do not deliver on 25, 26 and 27 December and the shop is closed. From 28 to 31 December we deliver again, on 31 December in the 9–12 time window. We accept online orders for New Year's Eve until 5 p.m. on 30 December. The shop is open until 6 p.m. on 22 and 23 December and on 28–30 December, and until 12 noon on 31 December. On 1, 2 and 3 January 2027 the shop is closed and we do not deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions About Advent Candles and the Wreath
When is the first Advent candle lit in 2026?
The first Sunday of Advent is 29 November 2026. The second is 6 December, the third 13 December and the fourth 20 December.
What do the four Advent candles symbolise?
According to tradition hope, peace, joy (in some places friendship) and love. A lit candle symbolises hope and the approaching light of Christmas.
What colour should Advent candles be?
In church tradition three are purple and one is pink. For a traditional look Andrea recommends red or honey-coloured candles; white or copper ones are modern.
How does the Advent wreath differ between countries?
Red candles are common in Germany and Britain, purple in Catholic areas and in Norway, purple or blue with a pink one in the USA. There is no single rule. You will find an overview in the section The Advent Wreath Around the World.
Who invented the Advent wreath?
The father of today's form is considered to be the German Protestant theologian Johann Hinrich Wichern of Hamburg, who created it in 1839 for children from poor families. A forerunner may have been the Austro-Bavarian paradeisl.
What is the fifth candle on the Advent wreath?
In the Catholic tradition a fifth, white Christ candle is sometimes added in the middle of the wreath. It is lit on Christmas Eve and symbolises Jesus as the light of the world.
What does the Advent wreath symbolise?
The circle has no beginning or end and symbolises eternity, the immortality of the soul and the unity of the family around one table. Green evergreen branches mean life.
How long does an Advent wreath last?
Placed away from heating and misted with water from time to time, the greenery stays beautiful for a full four weeks, that is, the whole of Advent.
Is it safe to leave the candles on the wreath burning?
Never leave candles burning unattended and use non-flammable candle holders.
By when should I order an Advent wreath?
In Prague by Friday 27 November at the latest, and for other cities by Thursday 26 November 2026, so the wreath reaches you before the first Sunday of Advent on 29 November.
Andrea, KvětinyExpres.cz
Related: Advent wreaths, How to Make an Advent Wreath, Christmas Traditions, The Symbolism of Christmas Flowers, Christmas Flowers and Décor, Christmas Flower Delivery 2026.
