Advent wreath
In its own language: Adventskranz
A ring of evergreens and candles marking each week of Advent
The Advent wreath is a Christian symbol made from a circle of evergreen branches with four or five candles. Each Sunday during Advent, a new candle is lit, often with readings and prayers, to mark the weeks leading up to Christmas. This tradition began in Germany and is now found in churches and homes in many countries.
- The Advent wreath began with German Lutherans in the 16th century.
- Johann Hinrich Wichern created the first modern wreath in Hamburg in 1839.
- Each candle on the wreath marks a week of Advent before Christmas.
- Candle colors and numbers vary by tradition and country.
- The custom is now found in homes and churches worldwide.
What is Advent wreath?
An Advent wreath is a circular arrangement of evergreen branches, often placed flat on a table or hung. Four candles stand upright in the wreath, sometimes with a fifth candle at the center. The evergreens are chosen for their lasting green color, symbolizing hope and eternal life. Candles are usually violet, blue, rose, red, or white, depending on local custom. The wreath is used in homes and churches as a focus for weekly candle lighting during Advent.
Where does Advent wreath come from?
The custom began with German Lutherans in the 16th century, but the modern form dates to 1839. Johann Hinrich Wichern, a Lutheran pastor in Hamburg, created the first large wreath with 24 small candles and four large ones for children at his mission school. Over time, the design was simplified to four or five candles. The tradition spread from Protestant churches in Germany to Roman Catholics in the 1920s and reached North America in the 1930s. In the UK, it became widely known after being featured on the television program Blue Peter in the 1960s.
How Advent wreath is made
To make an Advent wreath, evergreen branches are arranged in a circle, often on a base of wire or wood. Four candles are placed evenly around the wreath, with a possible fifth candle in the center. The candles may be violet, blue, rose, red, or white, reflecting different church traditions. Each Sunday in Advent, one more candle is lit, sometimes with prayers or readings. In some Orthodox homes, six candles of different colors are used to mark a longer Advent period.
When and where Advent wreath is used
The wreath is used throughout Advent, both in family settings and in church services. Each week, a new candle is lit to mark the progression toward Christmas. The lighting is often accompanied by Bible readings, prayers, or hymns. In some traditions, a white candle in the center is lit at Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The wreath serves as a visual and spiritual countdown to Christmas for many Christian families.
Forms of Advent wreath
Most Advent wreaths have four candles, but some include a fifth white 'Christ candle.' Candle colors vary: violet and rose are common in Catholic and some Protestant churches, while red is often used in the UK. Orthodox Christian families may use six candles of different colors for their longer Advent season. The BBC's Blue Peter popularized a homemade version with tinsel and, later, baubles for safety.
What Advent wreath means
The Advent wreath is a symbol of hope, peace, joy, and love, with each candle representing one of these themes. The circle of evergreens stands for God's endless love. The tradition helps Christians focus on spiritual preparation for Christmas. In some places, the wreath is also a church or family emblem during the Advent season. Its use has spread across denominations and countries, adapting to local customs and colors.
Traditions that use it
Questions people ask about Advent wreath
Where did the Advent wreath tradition start?
The tradition began among German Lutherans, with the modern version created in Hamburg by Johann Hinrich Wichern in 1839. It later spread to other Christian groups and countries.
What does each candle on the Advent wreath represent?
Each candle usually stands for hope, peace, joy, or love. Some traditions also link the candles to biblical figures or events leading up to Christmas.
How is the Advent wreath used?
A new candle is lit each Sunday during Advent, often with prayers or readings. The wreath is used in both homes and churches as a way to mark the weeks before Christmas.
What materials are used to make an Advent wreath?
Evergreen branches form the circular base, and four or five candles are placed in or around the wreath. Colors and decorations may vary by tradition.
Is the Advent wreath used in all Christian churches?
While it started in Lutheran churches, the Advent wreath is now used by many Protestant and Catholic groups, and some Orthodox Christians have adopted their own version.
Good reading and sources
- Advent wreath on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Advent wreath", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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