<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><metadata xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"  xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"><dc:title xml:lang="en">marriage candles</dc:title><dc:identifier>http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en?tema=31447241</dc:identifier><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Getty Institute</dc:publisher><dcterms:created>2026-03-30 21:04:54</dcterms:created><dcterms:isPartOf xsi:type="dcterms:URI">http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en</dcterms:isPartOf><dcterms:isPartOf xml:lang="en">Tesaurus d&apos;Art i Arquitectura</dcterms:isPartOf><dc:format>text/html</dc:format> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">candles, marriage</dcterms:alternative> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">marriage candle</dcterms:alternative> <dc:description xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ Candles used during a marriage ritual and/or in commemoration of a marriage, in the later case often with the date and names of the couple inscribed. The ritualistic use of candles during a marriage has roots in the ancient "taeda," essential in ancient Greek and Roman marriage ceremonies. In more modern western usage, several traditions exist: Included are carrying the candle in the bridal procession to the church; the solemn presentation of the candle to the bride by the bridegroom; the lighting of the candle in the home of the newly married couple; or in the liturgy, the couple may each have separate candles, which they extinguish to allow the single marriage candle to remain; or the couple may each contribute to lighting the marriage candle. ]]></dc:description></metadata>