Chloe Adams
The history of candle-making spans thousands of years, from ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome, where candles were used for light and ceremonies, to today's decorative and scented options. Pioneer candles, or candles of antiquity, were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow (animal fat), and wax. The Romans are often credited with the creation of the candle, but evidence suggests that the ancient Egyptians, Japanese, and Chinese also used wicked candles. In colonial times, candle-making was an essential annual chore in all households, with each household making its own candles, usually from tallow. Beeswax candles were also available but were more expensive and less accessible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common materials | Tallow, beeswax, spermaceti, stearin, paraffin wax |
| Tallow source | Animal fat, including sheep and pig |
| Wick material | Cotton |
| Wick type | Braided |
| Wick shape | Taper |
| Wick origin | Rolled papyrus |
| Wax origin | Tree nuts, boiled cinnamon fruit, bees, insects, seeds |
| Wax extraction | Boiling |
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What You'll Learn
Animal fat
In Colonial America, candle-making was an annual chore in all households. Each household made its own candles, usually coinciding with the autumn slaughter of animals for meat. Tallow could be made from the fat of all farm animals, but sheep tallow was the most desirable, as pig tallow had a very bad smell. The earliest settlers made their candles by the dipping method, repeatedly dipping a wick of cotton into melted tallow, allowing time for it to cool and harden between dips.
The development of stearin wax in the 19th century provided a new option for candle-making. French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, resulting in a hard, durable wax that burned cleanly. Stearin candles remain popular in Europe today.
While tallow candles were common, beeswax candles were also used, particularly by the wealthy. Beeswax was expensive and not widely available, and it produced a sweet honey smell when burned, unlike the foul, acrid odour of tallow.
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Reeds
The innovation of candle-making spread to other ancient civilizations, each adopting its unique approach. The Ancient Romans, for instance, introduced the use of moulded candles made from tallow or beeswax. They repeatedly dipped rolled papyrus in molten fat or wax, creating candles with a more consistent size and shape. This advancement made the candles easier to handle and store.
The use of reeds in candle-making continued to evolve. In ancient times, candles were often crafted from natural materials, including reeds soaked in wax or animal fat. This practice was prevalent in various ancient civilizations, including Egypt and Rome. The core of the reeds was soaked in melted animal fat or tallow, creating a rudimentary source of illumination.
Over time, candle-making techniques became more sophisticated. During the Middle Ages, beeswax candles became popular in Europe, especially for church ceremonies. Unlike tallow candles, beeswax burned cleanly and emitted a pleasant fragrance instead of a foul odour. The Renaissance era brought further advancements, with the continued use of reeds and the introduction of new materials and techniques, such as moulds and wicks made from cotton or hemp.
The evolution of candle-making continued with the growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century. Spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whale oil, became widely used and marked the first major change in candle-making since the Middle Ages. This wax produced brighter light and had a harder texture compared to tallow or beeswax, making it more durable in warm temperatures.
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Beeswax
The process of making beeswax candles has evolved over time. In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were produced by dipping or drawing the wick in molten wax repeatedly until it reached the desired size. This method is still used today, although the use of moulds was introduced in the 14th century. In the 19th century, with the invention of the lightbulb, the popularity of beeswax candles began to decline. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in natural and sustainable products, and beeswax candles have become popular again.
Today, beeswax candles are made by collecting beeswax from beehives, cleaning and filtering it to remove impurities, and then melting and pouring it into moulds to create candles. This process is often done by small-scale, local beekeepers and artisans, who produce high-quality, natural candles. Beeswax candles can also be made at home using a simple method of dipping wicks into melted beeswax.
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Cinnamon tree fruit
The use of candles dates back to ancient civilizations, with the Ancient Egyptians using rushlights or torches made by soaking the pithy core of reeds in animal fat. The Romans are credited with developing wicked candles by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow or beeswax. Early candles were also made from various natural fats, with evidence of early civilizations using waxes made from plants and insects. In colonial America, candle-making was an essential chore, with each household producing its own candles, usually from animal fat or tallow.
In India, candle wax was traditionally made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree. The little fruits of the cinnamon tree, also known as cinnamon buds or berries, are very sweet and warm. They can be used as a substitute for cinnamon or cloves and are commonly used in brewing tea, pickling recipes, and flavouring curries and meat dishes. Cinnamon buds are also used in ground masala mixes in regional recipes like Parsi dhansakh, Malvani, and Maharastrian powdered masala. They can be ground with a spice grinder or mortar and pestle and can be stored in an airtight container for up to a year.
Cinnamon is derived from the bark of the cinnamon tree, which is native to Sri Lanka (Cinnamomum verum or C. verum) and southern China and Burma (C. aromaticum or cassia). The trees grow as leafy bushes, typically reaching a maximum height of 3 metres (10 feet). They are harvested starting at 3 years old and continue producing for 40 to 50 years. The outer bark is removed and processed, while the inner bark is loosened with a brass rod, split with a knife, and carefully peeled off. The long, full 'quills' of cinnamon are more valuable, so workers take care to keep them intact. The bark is then dried in the shade and darkness for several days before being cut into sticks or ground into a powder for sale.
Cinnamon has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly as a digestive aid, and has been preliminarily studied for its potential to slow the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The use of cinnamon tree fruit to make candles in India is an interesting example of the diverse materials that have been used in candle-making throughout history, adapting to the available resources in different regions.
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Spermaceti
The most likely primary function of the spermaceti organ is to add internal echo or resonator clicks to the sonar echolocation clicks emitted by the respiratory organs, allowing the whale to sense the motion and position of its prey. The speed of sound in spermaceti is 2,684 m/s (at 40 kHz, 36 °C), making it nearly twice as good a conductor of sound as the oil in a dolphin's melon.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ancient Egyptians made candles by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. They also used wicked candles made from beeswax.
The Romans are often credited with creating the first candles by dipping rolled papyrus in tallow or beeswax.
In China, candles were made using wax from insects and seeds, with wicks made from rice paper.
In Japan, candles were made from wax extracted from tree nuts.
In Colonial America, candles were made from tallow, beeswax, bayberry wax, or wax myrtle.
