The traditional quinceañera candle ceremony presents 15 candles. The candles represent the fifteen years of the celebrant’s life, and she may dedicate them to important people such as parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives, or friends.
The ritual is often called the ceremony of the 15 candles. In some versions, the celebrant lights candles herself; in others, she gives or presents them to people she wishes to honor. The accompanying speeches or dedications are family customs rather than a single standardized liturgy.
The candle ceremony should not be confused with the religious service that some families attend. A Catholic quinceañera Mass may include blessings and symbolic gifts, but the candle presentation is generally associated with the reception or a separate celebration. Families may adapt or omit it.