Brooke Martin
Candles have been used for over two millennia and were once a significant form of indoor lighting. They have been used in various cultural and religious settings, such as the Jewish Festival of Lights (Hanukkah), which has included the use of candles since 165 B.C. They were also mentioned in the Bible as early as the 10th century B.C. and played a role in early religious ceremonies. While the Romans are often credited with the creation of the candle, evidence suggests that ancient Egyptians, Japanese, and Chinese civilizations also used wicked candles. The first candles were made by repeatedly dipping rolled papyrus in tallow or beeswax, with tallow being the most widely used type of candle for centuries due to its cheap cost and easy availability. Today, candles are no longer used as a primary source of light but have gained popularity as decorative items, mood-setters, and gifts.
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What You'll Learn
- Candles were first mentioned in Biblical times, as early as the tenth century BCE
- The ancient Egyptians, Japanese, Chinese, Indians, Greeks and Romans all used wicked candles
- Candles were the primary light source for homes in ancient civilisations
- Candles have been used for functional, symbolic and aesthetic purposes and in cultural and religious settings
- Candles are now primarily decorative, with a range of fragrances to fill your home
Candles were first mentioned in Biblical times, as early as the tenth century BCE
The use of candles dates back to ancient civilizations, with early candles believed to have been made of wicks stuck into containers filled with a flammable material. The first candles may have been produced after the early Bronze Age, but it is unclear when and where they were first used.
The ancient Egyptians, Japanese, and Chinese also used wicked candles. There is evidence of wick candles being made in Egypt as early as 3000 B.C. The ancient Japanese made candles from wax extracted from tree nuts, while in India, candle wax was made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree. In China, textual evidence suggests that candles may have been made from whale fat during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE).
The Romans are often credited with the creation of the first dipped candles made from rendered animal fat called tallow. However, evidence suggests that other ancient civilizations also played a role in the development of candle-making. For example, objects that could be candle holders have been found in Babylonian and middle Minoan cultures, as well as in the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Thus, while the exact origins of candles may be unclear, it is evident that they have a long and global history, with references in the Bible and other ancient texts, and a significant role in cultural and religious ceremonies.
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The ancient Egyptians, Japanese, Chinese, Indians, Greeks and Romans all used wicked candles
The use of wicked candles has a long and global history, with ancient civilisations like the Egyptians, Japanese, Chinese, Indians, Greeks, and Romans incorporating them into various aspects of their lives.
The ancient Egyptians were early adopters of wicked candles, using them as early as 3000 B.C. The Romans, who also played a significant role in the development of wicked candles, created theirs by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. This method of dipping wicks in wax or fat was also employed by Europeans in the early periods. Romans utilised candles for lighting their homes, assisting travellers after dark, and in religious rituals.
In China, textual evidence suggests that candles were in use during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), with possible materials being whale fat, beeswax, or stillingia tallow from the Chinese tallow tree. Chinese candle-making techniques included moulding candles in paper tubes and using indigenous plant and insect waxes, a practice also observed in Japan with the use of Japan wax from the Japanese wax tree.
Indian candle-making traditions involved boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree to extract wax, resulting in fragrant candles used in temples and religious ceremonies.
The ancient Greeks also incorporated candles into their rituals, offering moon-shaped honey cakes to the moon goddess Artemis, lit by small torches or candles. This practice is thought to have inspired the tradition of placing candles on birthday cakes.
The use of wicked candles in ancient civilisations laid the foundation for their continued development and significance in various cultural and ceremonial contexts, shaping how we use and value candles today.
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Candles were the primary light source for homes in ancient civilisations
Candles have been used for over two millennia and were the primary source of indoor lighting until the invention of other light sources. They were first mentioned in Biblical times, as early as the tenth century BCE, and were made of wicks stuck into containers filled with a flammable material. In the Roman period, the first dipped candles were made from rendered animal fat, known as tallow. Tallow was cheap and easily available, so tallow candles were the most widely used type of candle for centuries.
In ancient China, beeswax candles were common in the Tang and Sung dynasties, and wax from plants was also used to make candles. In India, candle wax was made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree, and in Japan, candles were made from wax extracted from tree nuts. In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe, burning more cleanly and with a sweeter smell than tallow. However, beeswax was more difficult to obtain, so beeswax candles were used almost exclusively by the upper classes and the Church.
The first major change in candlemaking since the Middle Ages came in the late 18th century with the growth of the whaling industry. Spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallising sperm whale oil, became available in large quantities and was used to make candles that burned without an odour and produced a brighter light. In the 1820s, French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, leading to the development of hard, durable stearin wax candles. The introduction of the lightbulb in 1879 caused a decline in candlemaking, but candles continued to be used for functional, symbolic, and aesthetic purposes, as well as in cultural and religious settings.
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Candles have been used for functional, symbolic and aesthetic purposes and in cultural and religious settings
Candles have been used for various purposes and in different settings throughout history. While they are no longer a primary source of light, their functional, symbolic, and aesthetic uses have endured.
Functional Purposes
Candles have been a significant source of light throughout history, with early candles made from reeds and animal fat in ancient Egypt, and beeswax in Roman times. In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe, offering a cleaner and purer flame compared to animal-based tallow. The invention of new materials, such as paraffin wax in the 1850s, made candles more affordable and accessible to the masses.
Candles have also been used to tell the time. Candle clocks were used in the Song dynasty in China, and by the 18th century, these clocks incorporated weights that made a noise as the candle melted.
Symbolic and Aesthetic Purposes
Candles hold symbolic importance in various cultural and religious rituals. They have been used in Christian traditions to symbolise the light of Christ during ceremonies like Advent, Easter Vigil, and Baptism. In Jewish traditions, candles are integral to the Festival of Lights (Hanukkah) and Shabbat. Candles also serve as symbols of remembrance and tribute, connecting the past with the present.
In addition to their symbolic significance, candles are valued for their ability to create ambiance, adding fragrance and warmth to any setting. They are often used to enhance the sensory experience of a space, promoting relaxation and transforming environments into sanctuaries.
Cultural and Religious Settings
Candles have been used in religious ceremonies for centuries, playing a crucial role in early religious practices. They are particularly significant in Christianity, where they were once the primary source of light in churches. In the Jewish tradition, candles are used in rituals and holidays like Shabbat, symbolising the commandments of "remembering" and "observing".
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Candles are now primarily decorative, with a range of fragrances to fill your home
Candles have been used for over two millennia and were once a significant source of indoor lighting. However, with the invention of electric lighting, candles are now mostly used for their aesthetic value, scent, and symbolic significance. They are also still used in religious and ceremonial contexts, such as in Christian churches, where they hold decorative, symbolic, and ceremonial value.
The use of candles dates back to ancient times, with the ancient Romans creating candles by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow or beeswax. In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe, burning cleaner and emitting a sweet smell compared to tallow. Beeswax candles were widely used in church ceremonies and by the wealthy, while tallow candles were the common household candle for Europeans.
In the 1800s, new types of waxes were introduced, including spermaceti, a byproduct of the whaling industry, and paraffin wax, derived from petroleum. These innovations made candles more economical to produce and improved their burning qualities.
By the 20th century, with the advent of electric lighting, candles began to be marketed as decorative items, available in various sizes, shapes, and colours. The interest in scented candles also grew, with consumers drawn to their fragrance and mood-setting qualities.
Today, candles are primarily decorative, with a wide range of fragrances to fill your home. They are used to create a warm and romantic ambiance or to set a particular atmosphere. They are also used in religious ceremonies and as emergency lighting during power outages. With new types of waxes being developed, candles continue to grow in popularity, offering a variety of options to suit different preferences and decorative themes.
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