Candles are lit during many Easter celebrations, especially the vigil and midnight services before Easter Sunday. Many churches extinguish candles on their altars on Good Friday to show that Jesus' light has gone out. In Roman Catholic churches, the special paschal candle is lit on Easter Sunday next to the main altar. The candle symbolizes Jesus' return to life. The candle is often lit during the next 40 days, until it is put out on Ascension Day.
The Paschal candle is a special candle for Easter. These paschal candles comprise of engravings of cross and the Greek letters alpha and omega that signify that the Lord is omnipresent. The beeswax, out of which the Easter candle is prepared, represents the purity of Jesus Christ, its wick signifies humanity and the flame is indicative of the Jesus' divine nature.
