Brooke Martin
Candles have been used for over two millennia, primarily as a source of light, and in religious and cultural ceremonies. The earliest candles were made from plant materials dipped in animal fat, and ancient Egyptians used rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. The ancient Romans are often credited with developing wicked candles by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in tallow or beeswax. Over time, candles were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax, with beeswax being a more expensive alternative used by the wealthy. In the 18th and 19th centuries, spermaceti from sperm whales was used, and in the 19th century, purified animal fats (stearin) and paraffin wax became popular, allowing candles to become affordable for the masses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Natural fat, tallow, wax, beeswax, whale fat, plant materials, animal fat |
| Wick | Oakum, papyrus, rice paper, twine, plant fibre |
| Production Method | Dipping, drawing, hand-rolling, moulding |
| Use | Lighting, religious ceremonies, decoration, timekeeping |
| Period | Ancient times to modern era |
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What You'll Learn
Tallow candles were the common household candle for Europeans
Tallow candles were the most common type of candle used in European households. They were made from animal fat, typically rendered from cattle or sheep. The use of tallow candles dates back to ancient times, with the Romans and Egyptians among the first to create candles using this method. During the Middle Ages, tallow candles became an integral part of daily life in Europe, used in homes, churches, and even for telling time with "candle clocks".
The production of tallow candles was a skilled craft, with chandlers or candle makers travelling from house to house to create candles from kitchen fats. They also made and sold their own candles in small shops. By the 13th century, candlemaking had become a guild craft in England and France, with the formation of the Tallow Chandlers Company of London in about 1300.
Tallow candles were affordable and easily available, which contributed to their widespread use. However, they had a distinctive odour due to the fatty acids present in the animal fat. This odour, along with the smoke and soot produced by the candles, was considered unpleasant by some. As a result, tallow candles were banned in several European cities due to the offensive smell of the manufacturing process.
In contrast, beeswax candles, which were introduced in Europe during the Middle Ages, burned cleanly and emitted a sweet fragrance. However, beeswax was more challenging to obtain and more expensive, so its use was largely restricted to the wealthy, churches, and royal events.
The popularity of tallow candles continued until the late 18th century when the growth of the whaling industry brought about a significant change in candlemaking. Spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whale oil, became available in large quantities and offered a brighter, harder alternative to tallow that burned without an unpleasant odour. This marked the first major shift in candlemaking since the Middle Ages and ushered in new possibilities for candle production.
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Beeswax candles were expensive and used by the wealthy
Beeswax candles have been used since Neolithic times for various purposes, but they were particularly valued for their use as candles in the Middle Ages. This was because, compared to animal-based tallow, beeswax burned cleanly, with a brighter and longer flame, and emitted a pleasant sweet fragrance rather than an acrid odour.
However, beeswax was more difficult to obtain than tallow, which was cheap and easily available. As a result, beeswax candles were considered a luxury item and were used almost exclusively by the wealthy and the Church in Europe. In England and France, tallow candlemaking became a guild craft by the 13th century, while beeswax candles remained restricted to the upper classes, churches, and royal events due to their expense.
In the Middle East, beeswax was also the dominant material for candle-making during the Abbasid and Fatimid Caliphates. Beeswax was often imported from long distances, making it costly. Elites could afford to spend large sums on expensive candles, such as the Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil, who spent 1.2 million silver dirhams annually on candles for his royal palaces.
Even today, beeswax candles are considered a luxury item. Beeswax is one of the most expensive waxes for candle-making due to its natural long-burning properties and ability to purify the air without releasing toxins. While paraffin wax is cheaper and easier to add colourants and scents to, it is a byproduct of the petroleum industry and releases toxins when burned.
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Chinese candles were made from whale fat
The history of candle-making is a fascinating one, with evidence of candles being used as early as the tenth century BCE. While the Ancient Egyptians are often credited with the earliest use of candles, they did not use wicks, and so the ancient Romans are generally thought to have developed the wicked candle. These early candles were made from papyrus dipped in tallow or beeswax.
Candle-making was then developed independently in various countries, including China. Chinese candles were made from a variety of materials, including beeswax, stillingia tallow from the Chinese tallow tree, and wax derived from insects. Interestingly, textual evidence and archaeological findings suggest that during the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE), Chinese candles may also have been made from whale fat. This is supported by historian Sima Qian, who claimed that candles in the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC), the first emperor of China, were made from whale fat.
The use of whale fat for candles in China may be attributed to the availability of whaling resources during that period. It is worth noting that the growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century also influenced candle-making globally, with spermaceti, derived from sperm whales, becoming widely used.
In addition to the use of whale fat, Chinese candle-making techniques are notable for their unique processes. Some Chinese candles were created by winding paper around a bamboo rod with a rush pith wick and repeatedly dipping it in melted wax or fat. This method is similar to Japanese candle-making techniques, which also involve moulding candles using paper tubes.
Candles played a significant role in Chinese culture and history, with records and objects indicating their usage throughout the various dynasties. During the Sung Dynasty (960-1279), candles were even used as a means of measuring time. By marking their candles, the Chinese could determine when nearly an hour had passed. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, candle usage became widespread, with candles present in almost every Chinese house. Today, candles continue to hold cultural significance in China, particularly during the Spring Festival, when they are lit outside houses to guide wayward spirits home.
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Japanese candles were made from tree nuts
The history of candle-making spans several ancient civilisations, including the Ancient Egyptians, the Romans, the Chinese, the Indians, and the Japanese. The use of candles in religious ceremonies is well-documented, with references in the Bible and the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, dating back to 165 B.C.
In Japan, traditional candles, known as warōsoku, were made from wax extracted from tree nuts, specifically the berries of haze lacquer trees or sumac trees. This process of candle-making is an ancient tradition, with some candle makers dedicating their lives to preserving the craft. The Isobe Rōsoku Shop in Okazaki, for example, has been making warōsoku for over 300 years.
Japanese candle-making techniques differ from those in other parts of the world. For instance, colonial women in America contributed to candle-making by using boiled bayberry bushes to produce sweet-smelling wax, while early Chinese candles were moulded in paper tubes with rice paper wicks. Japanese candles, on the other hand, are handcrafted with sumac wax, the piths of rush plants, and washi paper. This combination creates a unique texture and design, with tall, clean-burning flames that produce no unpleasant odours.
The production of Japanese candles made from tree nuts increased during the Edo period (1603-1868) when more wax trees were imported from the Ryukyu Islands. However, even before this period, candles were considered a luxury item in Japan, accessible only to nobles and temples. Today, most candles in Japan are Western-style, made from petroleum-based wax, and the traditional craft of making Japanese candles from tree nuts is at risk of disappearing.
The Japanese candle-making tradition has inspired modern innovations, such as the HAZE shop in Tokyo, which offers a range of candles with unique designs and colours, incorporating natural plant pigments and materials used in purification prayers, such as salt, hemp powder, and white sage.
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Indian candles were made from boiling cinnamon
The history of candle-making spans several ancient civilisations, with evidence of candle usage dating back to the Ancient Egyptians in 3000 B.C. and even earlier references in Biblical times (10th century B.C.). The ancient Romans are credited with developing wicked candles by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow or beeswax. However, the focus of this discussion is on Indian candles and their unique composition of boiled cinnamon.
In India, candle-making took on a distinct approach with the utilisation of cinnamon, a fragrant spice. Indian candles, specifically those used in temples and religious ceremonies, were crafted from wax derived by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree. This process extracted the wax from the cinnamon, creating a unique candle with a warm, spicy aroma. The practice of boiling cinnamon for candle wax was exclusive to India and set their candle-making tradition apart from other cultures.
The use of cinnamon wax in Indian temple candles showcases a creative adaptation of local resources. Cinnamon, a native spice to the region, provided a natural source of wax that differed from the more commonly used animal fats or plant-based waxes of other civilisations. By boiling the cinnamon, Indians were able to extract a usable wax that solidified upon cooling, forming the structure of the candle.
The choice of cinnamon for candle-making also carried symbolic and aromatic significance. Cinnamon has a long history of use in religious and spiritual rituals, and its inclusion in temple candles added to the solemnity and sacredness of these ceremonies. The warm, spicy fragrance of cinnamon contributed to creating a sensory experience during religious services, enhancing the ambiance with its distinctive scent.
Indian candles made from boiling cinnamon represent a unique cultural and historical tradition. They showcase the ingenuity of utilising locally available resources for candle-making while also underscoring the importance of scent and spirituality in Indian religious practices. This knowledge enriches our understanding of candle-making's global evolution and highlights the diversity of materials and techniques employed by different civilisations.
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Frequently asked questions
Authentic candles in ancient times were made of various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. The Romans made true dipped candles from tallow and beeswax. Beeswax candles were expensive and were therefore limited to the wealthy.
Early Chinese candles were made from whale fat. They used rolled rice paper for wicks and wax from an indigenous insect that was combined with seeds.
In ancient India, wax was made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.
The Romans are often credited with the creation of the candle by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax.
