Ben Carter
Candles are thought to have been used as a source of light for over 5,000 years, with the earliest use attributed to the Ancient Egyptians. The first candles were made by soaking the pithy core of reeds in animal fat. Over time, candles were made from various materials, including beeswax, whale fat, and plant fibres soaked in fat, pitch, or oil. In the 19th century, large-scale industrial manufacturing techniques were introduced, and candles became available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colours. Today, candles are mostly used for decorative and ceremonial purposes, and candle-making has become a popular hobby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest use of candles | Attributed to Ancient Egyptians |
| Earliest candles | Made from wicks stuck into containers filled with flammable material |
| First dipped candles | Made by Romans from tallow and beeswax |
| Tallow candles | Common household candle for Europeans |
| Candle making in England and France | Became a guild craft in the 13th century |
| Candles in the Middle Ages | Made from beeswax |
| Spermaceti | Introduced in the 18th century |
| Paraffin wax | Introduced in the 19th century |
| Moulds | Introduced in the 14th century |
| Industrial manufacturing technique | Introduced in the 19th century |
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What You'll Learn
Candle-making materials: from animal fat to beeswax
The materials used to make candles have evolved over the centuries, from animal fat to beeswax, and later, paraffin wax.
Candles are believed to have originated in Ancient Egypt, where the pithy core of reeds was soaked in melted animal fat. In Ancient Greece, small torches or candles were lit during ceremonies for the moon goddess Artemis. These were likely made from plant fibres soaked in fat, pitch, or oil.
During the Roman period, candles were made from animal fat (tallow) or beeswax. Tallow was cheap and easily available, making it the most common material for candles for centuries. However, tallow candles produced a smoky flame and an unpleasant smell due to the glycerine they contain.
Beeswax was introduced as an alternative to tallow in the 1500s. It burned brighter and longer, with less smoke, and had a sweeter scent. However, beeswax was more difficult to obtain, making beeswax candles more expensive and primarily used by the wealthy and the Church.
In the 14th century, moulds were introduced for taper candles, allowing for more consistent shapes. In the 18th century, with the growth of the whaling industry, spermaceti (obtained from sperm whales) became widely used for candle-making. Spermaceti wax burned cleanly without a repugnant odour, produced a brighter light, and was harder than tallow or beeswax.
In the 19th century, large-scale industrial manufacturing techniques were introduced for mass-producing candles. Purified animal fats (stearin) and paraffin wax became common materials for candle-making. Stearin was discovered by French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul, who extracted stearic acid from animal fatty acids. Stearin candles burned cleanly and were durable, making them popular in Europe even today.
Overall, the evolution of candle-making materials has progressed from animal fat to beeswax, and later, to the use of spermaceti and paraffin wax, with a focus on improving burn quality, scent, and ease of production.
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Candle moulds: from hand-built to mass-produced
The evolution of candle-making techniques over the centuries has resulted in a variety of candle moulds, from hand-built to mass-produced designs.
Hand-built Moulds
Candles were initially crafted by hand, with ancient peoples using natural materials such as plant fibres, animal fat, and beeswax. The earliest candles, dating back to ancient Egypt, were rushlights or torches made by soaking reed cores in animal fat. In the Roman era, true dipped candles were created from tallow and beeswax. Beeswax candles, however, were expensive and reserved for the wealthy.
Transition to Moulds
The use of moulds for candle-making was introduced in the 14th century, marking a significant shift from hand-built techniques. This innovation allowed for more standardised and consistent candle shapes. By the Middle Ages, beeswax candles gained popularity in Europe due to their cleaner burn and pleasant scent compared to tallow candles.
Industrial Revolution and Mass Production
The 19th century witnessed the advent of large-scale industrial manufacturing techniques for candles. This period saw the discovery of stearic acid by French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul, leading to the development of stearin wax, which burned cleanly and had a hard, durable consistency. Additionally, the growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century introduced spermaceti wax, derived from sperm whale oil, which produced a brighter light and lacked the unpleasant odour of tallow.
Contemporary Mass Production
Today, most candles are mass-produced, utilising various waxes such as paraffin wax, derived from petroleum, and soy wax. These modern candles are available in a multitude of colours, shapes, and sizes, catering to decorative, ceremonial, and aromatic purposes. While candles are no longer the primary source of lighting, their production has evolved to meet diverse consumer preferences, with candlemaking even becoming a popular hobby for enthusiasts.
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Wicks: from plant fibres to self-trimming cotton
Candles have been used for thousands of years, and until the early 1900s, they were the single source of artificial light. The history of candle-making has evolved over time, with candles being made from various materials and techniques. The use of wicked candles is believed to have developed in Italy during the Etruscan period, with early wicks made from oakum and other plant fibres soaked in fat, pitch, or oil.
Plant fibres such as banana fibre, lotus silk, and panampazham fruit fibres have been traditionally used to create wicks. These natural fibres are extracted and twisted together to form a thin rope-like structure, which is then used as a wick. In ancient times, candles were produced by dipping or drawing these plant wicks in molten fat or wax repeatedly until the desired size was achieved.
Over time, candle-making techniques evolved, and in the Middle Ages, beeswax became a popular material for candle-making. Beeswax candles were a significant improvement over tallow candles, but their availability was limited, making them expensive and accessible only to the clergy and upper class. The Romans also played a crucial role in the history of candle-making, as they were the first to provide evidence of candles resembling those used today. They used tallow, extracted from cattle and sheep, and poured it over fibres of flax, hemp, and cotton to create wicks.
In the 19th century, candle-making witnessed significant advancements. The first patented candle-making machines were introduced, making candles accessible to all classes. Additionally, the braided wick was invented, improving the burning quality of the wick. Cotton was used as a wick material, but the twisted strands burned poorly and required constant maintenance. The braided wick, tightly plaited, curled over, and allowed the wick to be completely consumed.
Today, candle-making has become a creative pursuit, with various waxes, colours, shapes, designs, and fragrances available. While candles are no longer the primary source of light, they are valued for their ambience, decorative appeal, and fragrance. Self-trimming cotton wicks, such as those available on Etsy, offer a smoke-free and non-blackening flame, enhancing the overall candle experience.
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Ancient candle use: from the Egyptians to the Romans
The earliest recorded use of candles was by the Ancient Egyptians, who used rushlights or torches made from reeds soaked in animal fat. These lacked the wick characteristic of true candles. However, clay candle holders dating back to the Fourth Dynasty (ca. 2575-2130 BCE) have been found, and a relief in the tomb of Pharaoh Amenemhat I (ca. 1962 BCE) depicts a boat with a lit lamp or candle. The scenes around it reflect rites or rituals associated with the procession of the pharaoh’s coffin.
The Ancient Egyptians also used candles made from beeswax for religious ceremonies. In ancient times, candles were also made from wax derived from insects. The origin of candles is not clear, but the Ancient Egyptians and Chinese are among the first known users of wickless candles.
The Ancient Romans are credited with developing the wick candle by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow (animal fat) or beeswax. This invention was used for home lighting, travel at night, and religious rituals. Tallow candles were the common household candle for Europeans, and by the 13th century, candlemaking had become a guild craft in England and France.
In the 1500s, beeswax was introduced as an alternative to tallow. Beeswax candles burned brighter and longer with less smoke, and they smelled better. However, beeswax was more difficult to obtain, which meant that beeswax candles were used almost exclusively by the upper classes and the Church.
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Modern candles: from soy wax to palm wax
Soy wax candles are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional paraffin wax candles. Soy wax is derived from soybean oil, which is extracted from harvested soybeans. This oil is then hydrogenated, a process that transforms the fatty acid tails in the oil to a high proportion of stearic acid. This makes the oil solid at room temperature and suitable for candle-making. Soy wax typically has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, but additives can be used to increase the melting point. Soy wax candles are usually container candles, but they can also be made into pillar candles with the right additives.
Soy wax was discovered by candle maker Michael Richards in 1991. Richards was searching for an inexpensive alternative to beeswax and experimented with various vegetable products before landing on soybean oil. Soy wax is now known for being eco-friendly, renewable, and biodegradable, and it burns cleaner than paraffin wax. It is also cheaper to produce than many alternatives.
Palm wax is another modern alternative to traditional paraffin wax. Palm wax is derived from the oil of palm trees and is known for its natural crystal-like appearance. Palm wax candles have a longer burn time than other types of wax candles.
When choosing a candle wax, it is important to consider personal preferences and sustainability. Soy and palm wax are both eco-friendly and natural alternatives to paraffin wax, which releases toxic fumes and chemicals when burned. Soy wax, in particular, is a good option for those who live a health-conscious or vegan lifestyle.
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Frequently asked questions
Early candles were made of wicks stuck into containers filled with a flammable material like animal fat. The Romans made dipped candles from animal fat called tallow. In China, textual evidence suggests that candles may have been made from whale fat in the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE).
In the 14th century, moulds were used to make candles. In the 1500s, beeswax was introduced as an alternative to tallow. In 1848, James Young established the world's first oil refinery, and two paraffin wax candles were made from the naturally occurring paraffin wax present in the oil.
Modern candles are produced in a wide variety of colours, shapes, and sizes. They are made from wax, tallow, or similar slow-burning materials, commonly in cylindrical form but made in many fanciful designs, enclosing and saturating a fibrous wick. Candles are now mostly used for decorative and ceremonial purposes.
