Candle Holder Names: 12 Common Types and Their Meanings

If you've ever felt lost looking at a row of beautiful flame-holding objects and thought, "What are the names of these types of candle holders?"—you're not alone. In the world of home decor, a candle holder is much more than just a functional piece to catch wax. 
 

From the minimalist elegance of a simple tealight base to the historical grandeur of a towering candelabra, each design has its own name, purpose, and unique aesthetic DNA. Knowing these names and what they represent can transform the way you shop and decorate. 
 

This is your ultimate guide—a visual dictionary to the 12 most common and significant candle holder names you should know. 
 

1. Votive Candle Holder — The Symbol of Serenity

A votive candle holder is specifically designed to fit the short, often wide votive candle, which liquifies completely when burned. Its purpose is twofold: safety and atmosphere. Since the candle melts down fully, the holder must contain the entire pool of wax.

The Design Philosophy: Votive holders are all about serenity and clustering. They are typically small, allowing them to be grouped in odd numbers (like three or five) to create a denser light source without cluttering a space. They are the go-to choice for intimate settings —think a relaxing bath, a quiet reading nook, or scattered across a festive dining table.
 

Materials and Craftsmanship: While most inexpensive votive holders are made of clear or colored glass, the high-end home decor candle holders are often made of ceramic or porcelain. A ceramic votive offers a distinct advantage: its thicker, often textured body diffuses light into a softer, warmer glow compared to the sharp light produced by glass. 
 

2. Tealight Holder — Simple, Cozy, and Modern

The tealight holder is arguably the most common and versatile candle holder type today. Designed for the small, self-contained tea light candle (which comes in its own metal or plastic cup), it’s the definition of minimalist function.
 

The Design Philosophy: Utility meets understated style. Because the tea light already has a barrier, the holder itself can focus purely on aesthetics and elevation. These holders are perfect for achieving a relaxed, everyday ambiance. They are frequently used in long, linear arrangements down a table, or tucked into shelves and vignettes to add pockets of subtle light without drawing too much attention. 
 

Design Variations and Materials: Unlike the deeper votive holder, tealight designs often feature simple, flat bases with a small depression or shallow lip. Popular candle holder materials for tealight styles include polished metal, natural wood, and, of course, ceramic. A clean, geometric ceramic tealight holder can instantly add a modern, grounded feel to a space. 
 

3. Taper/Candlestick Holder — Timeless Elegance

The Taper Holder, or Candlestick Holder, is the quintessential classic among all the candle holder names. It's designed to hold a long, slender taper candle, often referred to as a "dinner candle." Its defining feature is its height and slim profile, which adds a dramatic vertical element to any setting.
 

The Design Philosophy: The purpose of this type is rooted in history—it was the primary lighting source for centuries, making it inherently formal and traditional. Today, it’s a symbol of celebration and refined taste, most often seen enhancing a dining experience or mantelpiece display. 
 

Materials and Craftsmanship: When discussing candle holder materials, taper holders showcase the most variety. Historically, they were silver or brass. In modern home decor, designers often choose high-quality materials like marble, iron, or fine ceramic. A ceramic taper holder is a unique choice because it can be molded into intricate shapes or finished with vibrant glazes, offering a softer, less metallic contrast to the flickering flame. 
 

4. Pillar Holder — Architectural Statement Pieces

A Pillar Holder is built for stability, designed to hold thick, freestanding cylinder or pillar candles. Among all the types of candle holders, these are arguably the most structural and visually heavy. They provide a broad, flat surface for the candle to sit securely on, often with a lip or shallow bowl to contain the wax.
 

The Design Philosophy: Its solid presence makes it ideal for grounding large spaces like fireplace hearths, wide console tables, or as the centerpiece of a substantial table setting. To maximize their visual impact in home decor, they are almost always displayed in a grouping of three or more, using varied heights to create a miniature "cityscape" of light. 
 

Placement and Aesthetics: Because pillar candles can burn for many hours, the holder must be robust. Wood and metal are common candle holder materials, but durable stoneware or thick-walled ceramic Pillar Holders are favored for their weighty feel and textured finishes. 
 

5. Hurricane Lamp/Lantern — Functional Outdoor Charm

The Hurricane Lamp, or Lantern, is a style of candle holder where functionality is paramount. The defining characteristic is the tall glass cylinder or closed casing that surrounds the candle, providing critical protection from drafts, wind, and debris. This name is a clear nod to its original purpose.
 

The Design Philosophy: This piece blends safety with old-world charm. While they were historically used to safely carry light, modern lanterns are key pieces of home decor, candle holders for patios, covered porches, and entryways. The glass component ensures a clean burn and allows the flame’s glow to be magnified, making it an excellent source of soft ambient light. They often feature metal or rope handles, emphasizing their transportable, nautical, or rustic aesthetic.
 

Indoor vs. Outdoor Use: When used indoors, a large Hurricane Lamp can serve as an elegant, enclosed display for a pillar candle, often seen on hearths or window sills. Outdoors, it is the perfect solution for evening gatherings, providing consistent light that won't be extinguished by a sudden breeze. Candle holder materials for the base often include galvanized steel, bamboo, or glazed stoneware ceramic for a durable and weather-resistant finish.
 

6. Candelabra — The Peak of Grandeur

Among all the candle holder names, the Candelabra immediately evokes a sense of ceremony and history. Defined by its multi-branched structure, it’s designed to hold two or more, but often many, candles at once. 
 

The Design Philosophy: The Candelabra's sole purpose is to amplify light and signal importance. Historically, it was used in churches, palaces, and grand dining halls. In modern home decor, a candelabra acts as the ultimate statement piece, instantly elevating a formal dining setting, a piano top, or a large, ornate mantelpiece. 
 

Material as a Statement: Traditional candelabras are heavy silver, brass, or wrought iron, emphasizing their weight and permanence. For a contemporary spin, designers often use polished stainless steel or matte black finishes. However, the rise of custom design has introduced ceramic candelabras. A ceramic candelabra allows for softer, more sculptural forms—such as organic, flowing arms—that are impossible with rigid metals, giving the piece an artistic, gallery-like quality that fits a refined, modern aesthetic.
 

7. Sconce — Utilizing Vertical Space

The Sconce is one of the most unique types of candle holders because its function is tied to architecture rather than table surfaces. A Sconce is a decorative fixture that is mounted directly to a wall, allowing the candle flame to cast light upward and downward, highlighting the wall's texture and creating layers of ambient lighting.
 

The Design Philosophy: The primary benefit of wall sconces is their space-saving nature and their ability to create an elevated lighting scheme. They are perfect for hallways, entryways, or flanking a piece of art or a mirror. By placing the light source at eye level, they draw attention to the vertical dimension of a room. When integrating Sconces into home decor candle holders planning, remember they work best in pairs or symmetrical groupings to maintain balance in the room’s design.
 

Modern Adaptations and Materials: While historically made of iron or tin, modern Sconces often incorporate glass or polished ceramic elements. A ceramic Sconce can be designed to blend seamlessly with the wall color or, conversely, act as a bold, contrasting sculptural element. 
 

8. Floating Candle Bowl — The Element of Zen

The Floating Candle Bowl takes the concept of light to a completely different plane—the surface of water. These types of candle holders use the reflective quality of water to double the light source and create an atmosphere of profound tranquility and stillness.

The Design Philosophy: This design is fundamentally about Zen and tranquility. The movement of the water, however slight, and the reflection of the flame combine to create a dynamic, living light source. Floating candle bowls are the centerpiece of choice for mindfulness spaces, spas, or as an intimate element on a patio table. They work best with wide, shallow bowls and small, dedicated floating candles.
 

Enhancing the Experience: The bowl's material must be water-safe, making glazed ceramic, smooth stone, or glass the best candle holder materials. To enhance the aesthetic of these home decor candle holders, you can add decorative elements like polished river stones, glass beads, or fresh flower petals to the water. 
 

9. Oil Lamp Style Holder — Vintage Industrial Aesthetics

The Oil Lamp Style Holder is a fantastic example of a candle holder where the design draws heavily from history, specifically the 19th-century liquid-fuel lamps. These holders do not burn oil; they safely house a small candle (often a votive or pillar) within a structure that mimics the classic oil lamp's chimney and base.
 

The Design Philosophy: This style is all about nostalgia and functionality. The tall glass chimney not only completes the vintage look but, like a hurricane lamp, also serves the practical purpose of protecting the flame from drafts, making the light source more stable. 
 

Materials and Detail: The base of these holders is often crafted from metal, such as aged bronze, copper, or distressed iron, to achieve that antique feel. When modern materials are used, like ceramic, the piece often focuses on the heavy, smooth base, using a dark, earthy glaze to provide a historical weight that contrasts with the clear glass top. 
 

10. Trough/Tray Holder — Linear Modernity

The Trough or Tray Holder is defined by its horizontal and usually low-profile form. It’s essentially a long, shallow container designed to hold multiple small candles—typically tealights, votives, or small pillars—in a linear arrangement.
 

The Design Philosophy: This design speaks to minimalism, organization, and visual rhythm. In contrast to the dramatic height of a candelabra, the tray holder emphasizes width and length, making it ideal for the center of a long dining table, a narrow shelf, or a window ledge. This emphasis on simple, horizontal lines makes it a staple in modern and Scandinavian home decor candle holders.
 

Versatile Materials: The choice of candle holder materials greatly influences the tray holder's final look. A rough-hewn wood trough suggests rustic warmth, while polished metal conveys sleek industrialism. However, a long, finely glazed ceramic trough holder offers the most versatility. 
 

11. Menorah — A Cultural Significance

Among all the functional types of candle holders, the Menorah stands apart because its primary significance is cultural and religious, rather than purely decorative. This nine-branched candelabrum is specifically used for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
 

The Design Philosophy: The structure of the Menorah is symbolic, with eight branches representing the eight days of the miracle, and a central ninth candle, the shamash, which is used to light the others. Knowing this candle holder's name means understanding its rich history. While it serves the decorative purpose of providing light, its deeper value lies in its role as a ritual object that connects the user to tradition and community.
 

Modern Interpretation: While traditionally made of metal (silver, brass), modern home decor candle holders have seen Menorahs crafted from glass, wood, and even colored ceramic. A contemporary ceramic Menorah often features very clean, minimalist lines to focus attention on the ritual itself, rather than excessive ornamentation. Regardless of the material, the design must always adhere to the required nine-light structure.
 

12. The Joyye Advantage: Custom Ceramic Holders for Unique Home Decor

We have looked at 11 classic and cultural types of candle holders, but what if your vision transcends these universal categories? What if your home decor requires a specific color, texture, or shape that doesn't exist on the mass market? This is where the custom ceramic candle holder emerges as the 12th, and arguably the most personal, type.
 

Joyye steps in as your expert partner, elevating the concept of candle holders from a simple purchase to a bespoke design project. Specializing in quality-focused, multi-craft custom ceramic home decor, Joyye is the ideal manufacturer for designers, brands, and discerning homeowners who demand distinctiveness. Unlike buying an off-the-shelf product, choosing Joyye allows you to define every candle holder material and detail—from the perfect matte glaze finish for a Votive to the architectural lines of a Taper Holder.
 

The true value of a Joyye ceramic candle holder lies in the craftsmanship. Their commitment to stringent quality control ensures your unique design is realized with flawless consistency, superior durability, and a tactile finish that mass-produced pieces simply cannot match. To explore how this level of quality and customization can bring your unique design to life, visit Joyye's official website and connect with an expert today.
 

Candle Holder Material Guide: A Quick Comparison

We've explored 12 different types of candle holders, and throughout this guide, the choice of candle holder materials has emerged as a key factor. The material determines the holder's durability, light quality, maintenance needs, and overall aesthetic fit within your home decor. To help you make a final decision, here is a quick comparison of the most common materials used in creating these essential pieces.
 

Conclusion

Choosing a candle holder is an opportunity to express your personal style, whether you prefer the minimalist charm of a Tealight Holder or the dramatic flair of a Candelabra. By understanding these 12 distinct candle holder names—their design philosophies, intended uses, and materials—you can move beyond simply buying a product to curating a space that truly reflects your aesthetic intent.
 

About the Author

This article was written by the home decor experts at Joyye, who are dedicated to bridging the gap between high-quality craftsmanship and practical design. Leveraging decades of experience in custom ceramic manufacturing, Joyye's goal is to equip homeowners and interior design enthusiasts with the knowledge necessary to make informed and value-driven decisions about their decorating choices.