Final answer:
The traditional Advent wreath contains four candles, with three purple and one pink, each representing the Sundays leading up to Christmas. Some wreaths also include a fifth white candle for Christmas.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are typically four candles in the traditional Advent wreath. Each candle represents one of the Sundays leading up to Christmas. Three of the candles are usually purple, and one is pink. The purple candles symbolize preparation and penance and are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent, while the pink candle, which symbolizes joy, is lit on the third Sunday, known as Gaudete Sunday.
Some Advent wreaths may also include a fifth candle, which is white and known as the Christ Candle. It is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to represent the arrival of Christ. However, it is not present in all traditions.