Candelabra

This article is about the candle holder. For the hydroid genus Candelabrum, see Candelabridae. For the geoglyph, see Paracas Candelabra.

A candelabrum (pl. candelabra or candelabrums) or candelabra (pl. candelabras) is a type of candlestick which has multiple branches to hold several candles as opposed to only one. "Candelabra" can be used to describe a variety of candle holders including chandeliers. However, candelabra can also be distinguished as freestanding branched candle holders that are placed on a surface such as the floor, a stand, or a tabletop. Chandeliers, on the other hand, are hung from the ceiling.

The Romans used the term to describe a form of ornamental lighting, which may be a tall stand that supports a lamp. In Judaism, the menorah and hanukkiah are special kinds of candelabra. Candelabra are also used in churches, in ceremonies such as Tenebrae, in certain Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church liturgy such as the dikirion and trikirion. Candelabra in the form of branched candlesticks also came into use in homes as decorative lighting.

In modern times, electricity has largely relegated candleholders to decorative use in homes. Interior designers nowadays continue to model light fixtures and lighting accessories after candelabra and single candlesticks. Although candelabra are designed to hold candles, modern candelabra may also use artificial candles with LED light bulbs.

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