With three candles you may have to think of the “Greater Lights” of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, but on this 28th degree Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite tracing board, they have quite another meaning.
The 3 candles symbolize man’s life – youth, manhood, old age – lit by the lights of truth.

A. & A. R. The intermediate Degrees 19º – 29º A.C.F. Jackson (1982)