Brooke Martin
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 torches by soaking reeds in melted animal fat. Over time, candles were also made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. The Romans are often credited with the creation of candles or at least the dipped candles made from animal fat, although evidence suggests that ancient Eastern cultures like the Chinese and Japanese also used wicked candles made from plant-based waxes. In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe, burning cleaner and brighter than animal-based tallow, but their use was largely limited to the wealthy due to the difficulty of obtaining beeswax.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Natural fat, tallow, beeswax, whale fat, plant materials, animal fat, wax, spermaceti, paraffin wax, cinnamon, tree nuts, stearin |
| Wick Materials | Loosely spun cotton, oakum, plant fibre |
| Manufacturing Techniques | Dipping, drawing a wick in molten wax or tallow, shaping by hand, pouring wax or tallow over the wick, moulds |
| Use | Light source, cultural ceremonies, spiritual worship, decoration |
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What You'll Learn
Romans used animal fat
The Romans are often credited with the creation of the candle, though other ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Japanese, Chinese, and Indians also used wicked candles. The first candles were made of wicks stuck into containers filled with a flammable material. The first dipped candles were made by the Romans from rendered animal fat called tallow. Tallow was cheap and easily available, so tallow candles were the most widely used type of candle for centuries.
Tallow was produced by rendering animal fat. This process was relatively easy, especially when using lard, as most of the impurities were already gone. The fat was boiled with a little water and some salt to remove any remaining impurities. The liquid fat was then poured into a bowl and left to solidify. The wicks were made by spinning cotton. To make the candle, the tallow was melted and the wicks were dipped into it.
In the 1500s, beeswax was introduced as an alternative to tallow. Beeswax candles burned brighter and longer, with less smoke, and they also smelled better. However, beeswax was more difficult to obtain, so beeswax candles were used almost exclusively by the upper classes and the Church.
In the 1820s, French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids. This led to the development of stearin wax, which burned cleanly and was hard and durable. Stearin candles remain popular in Europe today.
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Egyptians used melted animal fat
The use of candles dates back to ancient civilizations, with the first known use attributed to the Ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians are known to have made candles by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. This process, known as "dipping", was also used by the Romans, who created the first dipped candles using rendered animal fat called tallow. Tallow was easily available and affordable, making tallow candles the most common type of candle for centuries.
The use of tallow, however, presented some challenges. When burned, tallow produced a foul odour, and the smoke it emitted was not pleasant. As a result, there was a search for alternative materials, and in the 1500s, beeswax was introduced. Beeswax candles offered several advantages over tallow candles; they burned brighter and longer, with less smoke, and emitted a pleasant fragrance.
Beeswax, however, had its drawbacks. It was more challenging to obtain, which made beeswax candles more expensive. Consequently, beeswax candles became a luxury item, used predominantly by the wealthy and the Church in Europe. This exclusivity gave rise to the association of beeswax candles with high social status and religious significance.
The process of candle-making evolved over time, with the introduction of moulds in the 14th century by a French inventor. This innovation revolutionised the taper candle, allowing for standardised shapes and sizes. The growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century brought another significant change to candle-making. Spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whales, became widely available and was used to make candles. Spermaceti candles burned brighter and did not produce an unpleasant odour like tallow candles.
The ancient Egyptians' use of melted animal fat for candles showcases their ingenuity and adaptability in utilising available resources to bring light to their world, shaping the evolution of candle-making techniques for centuries to come.
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Greeks used plant materials
The ancient Greeks used torches and oil lamps, and it is likely that they adopted the use of candles in a later period from the Romans. The Greeks also offered moon-shaped honey cakes to the moon goddess Artemis, which were lit by small torches or candles. This has been proposed as the origin of the tradition of putting candles on birthday cakes.
The first candles were made from plant materials, such as flax, which were often dipped in animal fat. The plant material would have been bound together, or used as a single piece if the stalk of the plant was larger. These types of candles were used for thousands of years, with the novel Jane Eyre making reference to the usage of 'rushlights', 'rush' being the plant used.
In China, candles were made from wax derived from plants, such as the stillingia tallow from the Chinese tallow tree. This type of wax was also used to make Buddhist ceremonial candles. In Japan, wax extracted from tree nuts was used to make candles.
Over time, candles were also made from beeswax, which was a byproduct of honey collection, and purified animal fats, such as tallow. Beeswax candles were more expensive and less accessible, so they were primarily used by the wealthy and in churches.
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Indians used boiled cinnamon
The use of candles dates back to ancient times, with the earliest use attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who made torches by soaking reed cores in melted animal fat. Over time, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax in Europe, with the former being the common household candle due to its affordability and easy availability.
In India, a unique candle-making tradition involved boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree to extract wax. Cinnamon, with its warm and inviting aroma, has been prized for centuries for its medicinal and aromatic properties. The practice of using boiled cinnamon for candles in India is a testament to the innovative and diverse nature of ancient candle-making traditions.
The use of cinnamon in candles offers not just a pleasant fragrance but also provides several benefits. Cinnamon is a natural insect repellent, helping to create a bug-free environment. Its versatile aroma blends well with other scents, allowing candle makers to create intricate and appealing fragrance profiles. Additionally, cinnamon is known for its aromatherapy advantages, promoting feelings of relaxation, warmth, and comfort.
The history of cinnamon in candles is deeply rooted in ancient traditions. Cinnamon was initially cultivated in Sri Lanka and later became a highly valued commodity traded along the famous Spice Routes. In medieval Europe, cinnamon was considered a luxury spice, reserved for the nobility and elite. The inclusion of cinnamon in candles showcases its enduring appeal and the recognition of its benefits throughout history.
The use of boiled cinnamon for candles in India reflects the creativity and resourcefulness of ancient cultures in utilizing natural materials for lighting and aromatic purposes. This tradition has contributed to the rich history of candle-making, showcasing the diverse ingredients and techniques employed by different civilizations to create illuminating and fragrant candles.
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Japanese used tree nuts
Candles have been used as a source of light for over 5,000 years, but little is known about their origin. 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. The Ancient Greeks also used torches and oil lamps, and candles may have been adopted later from the Romans.
The Romans made dipped candles from tallow (animal fat) and beeswax. Tallow was cheap and easily available, so tallow candles were the most common type of candle for centuries. In the 1500s, beeswax was introduced as an alternative. Beeswax candles burned brighter and longer, with less smoke, and had a better smell than tallow candles. However, beeswax was harder to obtain, so beeswax candles were used almost exclusively by the wealthy and the Church.
In Japan, candles were made of wax extracted from tree nuts, specifically the berries of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum (lacquer tree) and Toxicodendron succedaneum (Japanese wax tree). This substance is known as Japan wax, or sumac wax, and it is a pale-yellow, waxy, water-insoluble solid with a gummy feel. It is not a true wax but a fat that contains 95% palmitin. Japan wax is sold in flat squares or disks and has a rancid odour. It is used not only for candles but also for furniture polish, floor wax, soap, food packaging, cosmetics, crayons, adhesives, and more.
Traditional Japanese candles, or warōsoku, are handcrafted with sumac wax, the piths of rush plants, and washi paper. They are unscented, 100% plant-based, and produce uniquely tall flames. The Isobe Rōsoku Shop in Okazaki has been making warōsoku for over 300 years.
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Frequently asked questions
Ancient Chinese candles were made from wax extracted from insects and seeds. There is also textual evidence that suggests candles may have been made from whale fat in the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE).
Ancient Indians made taper candles from wax extracted by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.
Ancient Japanese candles were made from wax extracted from tree nuts.
The Romans made candles by dipping rolled papyrus in tallow (animal fat) or beeswax.
Ancient Egyptians made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. There is also evidence of wick candles being made in Egypt as early as 3000 B.C.
