In the early Church the baptismal candle wasalways kept by the one baptised and brought to Church for majorevents in the person's life. Even as the final hour of life approached it was lighted again asthe soul went forth to meet its Judge. It was a constant reminder forthe Christian to live and die by the light of Christ. Thus the candlebecomes a symbol of the perseverance of the baptised soul untilChrist's return. The baptismal font in the language of the Church Fathers is theDivine Womb whence we receive the second birth as children of God.
Baptism is truly a birth.
When a person is Baptised, they descend into the baptismal font. As the water closes over the head, it is like being buried in agrave. When the newly baptised emerges from the water, it is likerising from the grave. Baptism represents our old, sinful naturedying and then being resurrected again by Christ in a new andcleansed form. The Water is used for cleansing.