The menorah combines two primordial images that are normally antagonistic to each other: a growing thing (tree or bush) and a burning thing (fire, sun, etc.). With the fusion of these two, a symbol expressive of the spiritual as coming both from above (heaven) and below (earth) is formed. Similar to the menorah is the traditional Christmas tree, which combines the two same elements: the living tree holding up burning candles.
Associated since medieval times with the winter solstice, the menorah and the Christmas tree serve as reminders of the life and the light that have disappeared from the earth during the long dark days of deepest winter. The Channukiah became the symbol of Hanukkah because of a legend related in later times that in the process of restoring the Temple, a tiny cruse of oil was found. The oil therein was sufficient for keeping the menorah in the Temple lit only one day, but miraculously the oil lasted for eight days, the entire time of re-dedication of the Temple. The menorah in the Temple itself symbolized the light of God’s presence which dwelt in the Temple.
Images from the ARAS Archive:
6Rc.301 – Channukiah, Germany, 17th Century.