Maddie James
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years, with the earliest use often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. Objects that could be candle holders have been found in Babylonian and middle Minoan cultures, as well as in the tomb of Tutankhamun. There is evidence of wick candles being made in Egypt as early as 3000 BC, and the use of wicked candles in Italy during the Etruscan period. The Romans are thought to have made the first wicked candle, and candles played an important role in religious ceremonies, such as the Jewish Festival of Lights (Hanukkah), which began in 165 BC. Beeswax candles were introduced in Europe during the Middle Ages, burning cleanly without the foul odour of animal-based tallow. The growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century brought another major change in candlemaking, with the introduction of spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest use of candles | Attributed to Ancient Egyptians |
| Earliest evidence of wick candles | 3000 B.C. in Egypt |
| Materials used in ancient candles | Natural fat, tallow, wax, beeswax, plant fibre, oakum, rice paper, tree nuts, wax from insects and seeds, yak butter, oil from fish |
| Use in ancient times | Source of light, cultural ceremonies, spiritual worship |
| Changes in candle-making | Introduction of beeswax candles in Europe during the Middle Ages, use of spermaceti wax during the 18th century, discovery of stearic acid in the 1820s, mass production of candles from 1834 |
| Popularity of candles | Surged in the 1990s with new types of wax, decorative and scented options became popular in the 20th century |
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What You'll Learn
Ancient Egyptians and their use of animal fat torches
The use of candles dates back to ancient times, with the earliest known use attributed to the Ancient Egyptians. However, the candles of antiquity were quite different from the modern-day candles we are familiar with today. The Ancient Egyptians are known to have used torches or rushlights made by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. These torches served as a source of light, illuminating their celebrations and daily lives.
The Ancient Egyptians were resourceful in utilising animal fat in various aspects of their lives, including hygiene, skincare, and cosmetics. They incorporated animal fat into ointments, perfumes, and cosmetics accessible to both the lower and upper classes. Animal fat was also an essential ingredient in their hygiene products, such as deodorants, which were crafted from a unique blend of finely ground ostrich eggs, turtle shells, and plant-based ingredients like berries and tamarisk tree nodes.
While the Ancient Egyptians did use animal fat for lighting, they had other sources of oil for their lamps. They obtained oil from plants that grew in their region, such as flax, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. Sesame seed oil, in particular, was considered the finest lamp oil and was used in the Pharaoh's Palaces and Temples.
It is important to note that the animal fat used for lighting needed to be treated to create a substance called tallow, which is harder and more suitable for candle-making. This process involved rendering the animal fat in a specific way to make it much harder and better suited for candles. The Ancient Egyptians may have used this tallow to create torches or rushlights, but it is unlikely that they made candles as we know them today.
The use of candles and lighting evolved over time, with the introduction of beeswax candles in ancient China and the Middle Ages in Europe. The development of stearin wax in the 19th century, derived from animal fatty acids, led to significant improvements in candle-making, resulting in hard, durable, and clean-burning candles.
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The Etruscan period and the earliest candlestick
The origins of candles date back more than 5,000 years, with the earliest use often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. However, the earliest candlestick is believed to date back to the 7th century BC during the Etruscan period in Italy.
The Etruscans were an indigenous population in Italy, with the earliest evidence of their culture dating back to around 900 BC, during the Iron Age Villanovan culture, which developed from the late Bronze Age Proto-Villanovan culture. The Etruscans dominated Italy until they were conquered by the expanding Roman Empire in the late 4th century BC.
A picture of a candlestick exists in an Etruscan tomb in Orvieto, providing evidence of candle use during this period. Candles during the Etruscan period were likely made from tapers (long, thin candles) with wicks of oakum and other plant fibres soaked in fat, pitch, or oil. These early candles may not have resembled modern candles and were likely made from plant materials dipped in animal fat.
The use of candles continued to evolve, with the Ancient Greeks offering moon-shaped honey cakes to the moon goddess Artemis, lit by small torches or candles. In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe, providing a cleaner and purer source of light compared to animal-based tallow. Beeswax candles were widely used in church ceremonies but were expensive, so only the wealthy could afford them for their homes.
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Hanukkah and the Jewish Festival of Lights
Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This event, which took place over 2,000 years ago, was a revolt of the Jewish people led by Judah Maccabee against their Syrian-Greek oppressors, who had desecrated the Temple in an attempt to assimilate the Jewish people.
The holiday is celebrated for eight days, beginning on the eve of the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which usually falls in December on the Gregorian calendar. The name "Hanukkah" derives from the Hebrew verb "חנך", meaning "to dedicate". The holiday is often referred to as the Festival of Lights due to the lighting of candles as its most prominent symbol.
The story of Hanukkah centres on the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days. According to the Talmud, when the Jews regained control of the Temple, they found only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why the holiday is celebrated for that duration.
The menorah, a nine-branched candelabra, is the central symbol of Hanukkah. Traditional Hanukkah celebrations involve lighting the candles on the menorah, reciting blessings, preparing and consuming traditional foods like potato latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and playing dreidel, a game of chance played with a four-sided top.
While the exact origins of candles are unknown, they are believed to have been used for illumination for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used early forms of candles made from animal fat, plant materials, and beeswax. Objects resembling candle holders have been found in Babylonian and middle Minoan cultures, as well as in ancient Egyptian and Greek contexts.
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The Middle Ages and the introduction of beeswax candles
Candles have been used as a source of light for over 5,000 years, with the earliest use often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians. However, it was not until the Middle Ages that beeswax candles were introduced in Europe, marking a significant improvement in candle technology.
Before the Middle Ages, early Western cultures primarily relied on tallow candles, which were made from animal fat. In contrast, beeswax candles, which were already common in China during the Tang and Sung dynasties, offered several advantages. They burned cleanly and purely, without producing the smoky flame and foul odour associated with tallow candles. Beeswax candles also emitted a pleasant, sweet smell. As a result, they became widely used for church ceremonies in Europe.
However, beeswax candles were expensive, and only the wealthy could afford to burn them in their homes. Tallow candles remained the common household candle for most Europeans. The production of candles became even more accessible in the 13th century, when candlemaking became a guild craft in England and France. Chandlers would go from house to house, making candles from kitchen fats or selling their own creations from small shops.
The introduction of beeswax candles in the Middle Ages represented a notable advancement in candle technology, offering a cleaner-burning and more aesthetically pleasing alternative to tallow candles. While tallow candles continued to be the standard for most Europeans, beeswax candles played a significant role in religious ceremonies and illuminated the homes of the wealthy.
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The 19th century and the industrialization of candles
The 19th century witnessed the industrialization of candle-making, marking a significant shift in the production and accessibility of candles. Several key innovations and technological advancements revolutionized the industry, making candles more affordable and widely available.
One of the pivotal moments in the industrialization of candles came in 1834 with Joseph Morgan's invention. Morgan, a pewterer from Manchester, England, patented a machine that transformed candle-making. His machine introduced a large-scale industrial manufacturing technique, allowing for the continuous production of molded candles. The machine utilized a cylinder with a movable piston to eject candles as they solidified, achieving an impressive output of about 1,500 candles per hour. This mechanized production process not only increased efficiency but also drove down costs, making candles accessible to a broader range of people, including those with limited means.
Another important development during this period was the improvement of candle wicks. In the 19th century, candlemakers began to fashion wicks out of tightly braided strands of cotton, a technique that had far-reaching benefits. These braided wicks, also known as "self-trimming" or "self-consuming" wicks, curled over as they burned, maintaining the height of the wick and, consequently, a consistent flame height. This innovation enhanced the performance and functionality of candles, contributing to their growing popularity.
The mid-19th century also saw the emergence of large candle manufacturers, such as Price's Candles in London, which became the largest candle manufacturer in the world by the late 19th century. The industrialization of candle-making also spread to other regions, with Syracuse, New York, becoming a global center for candle manufacturing. This industrialization brought about a standardization of candle production, ensuring consistency in candle quality and size.
The 19th century was a pivotal era in the history of candle-making, with innovations in both technique and scale of production. The advancements during this period not only made candles more affordable and accessible but also laid the foundation for the continued development and diversification of the candle industry in the centuries that followed.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, we have found evidence of ancient candles.
Objects that could be candle holders have been found in Babylonian and middle Minoan cultures, as well as in the tomb of Tutankhamun.
The earliest use of candles is often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat as early as 3000 BC.
Ancient candles were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. Romans made true dipped candles from tallow and beeswax.
Ancient candles may not resemble current forms and were likely made from plant materials dipped in animal fat. They were probably long and thin, with wicks made from oakum and other plant fibres.
