Maddie James
Candles have been used as a source of light and in celebrations 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. However, these did not have wicks like true candles. The Ancient Romans are generally credited with developing wicked candles by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. Candles were mass-produced in 1834 when Joseph Morgan, a pewter utensil maker from Manchester, England, patented a moulded candle-making machine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest use of candles | Attributed to Ancient Egyptians in 3000 BC |
| Earliest form of candle | Rushlights, made by dipping dried pith or core of rush plant in melted animal fat or grease |
| First wicked candle | Developed by Romans |
| Candle production in China | Earliest known surviving candle found in the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty in Han, China, dating back to 200 BC |
| Candle production in India | Wax made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree |
| Candle production in Japan | Wax extracted from tree nuts |
| Candle production in North America | Small oily fishes (Eulachon, also known as Candlefish) dried, placed on a forked stick, and burned |
| First major change in candle-making | Growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century |
| Mass production of candles | Invented in 1834 by Joseph Morgan, a pewter utensil maker from Manchester, England |
| Paraffin wax | Discovered by Scottish chemist James Young in the 1850s |
| Invention of the lightbulb | 1879 |
| Invention of kerosene lamps | 19th century |
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What You'll Learn
Ancient Egyptians used rushlights or torches as early as 3000 BC
The use of candles dates back thousands of years, with the Ancient Egyptians being credited with the earliest use of candles. As early as 3000 BC, Ancient Egyptians made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. These rushlights lacked a wick, a key component of a true candle. However, the Egyptians also utilised wicked candles during this period, marking a significant advancement in lighting technology.
The evolution of candles reflects the ingenuity of ancient civilisations in their quest for illumination. Rushlights, also known as "rushlight" candles, were created by soaking the pithy stalks of rushes or reeds in animal fat. This process resulted in a rudimentary form of candle that provided a source of light. While effective, rushlights lacked the structural stability and consistent burn of modern candles.
The development of wicked candles represented a notable improvement in candle-making. The Ancient Egyptians crafted these candles by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. The resulting candles were sturdier and produced a more stable flame. These candles served multiple purposes, including lighting homes, aiding travellers at night, and playing a pivotal role in religious ceremonies.
The use of candles extended beyond Ancient Egypt, with evidence suggesting that various ancient civilisations developed their own versions. For example, the ancient Romans, Indians, Japanese, and Chinese all created candles using materials available to them, such as waxes derived from plants, insects, or animal fats. In Europe, candle-making techniques included dipping or drawing wicks in molten wax or tallow, shaping soft wax around a wick, or pouring wax or tallow over the wick.
The significance of candles transcended their functional role as a source of light. In Christian churches, candles took on decorative, symbolic, and ceremonial importance. The high demand for beeswax candles in Christian ceremonies, such as Easter and the festival of Candlemas, led to their association with wealth and exclusivity. The introduction of beeswax candles in Europe during the Middle Ages marked a notable shift, as they burned cleaner and emitted a pleasant fragrance compared to animal-based tallow candles.
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Romans made the first wicked candles
The history of candles dates back to ancient times, with the first known use of candles being traced to the Roman Empire. While the exact date of their invention is unknown, it is generally believed that the Romans created the first wicked candles around 500 BC. This early version of a candle was made from a variety of materials, including tallow (animal fat), beeswax, and olive oil. Of these, tallow was the most commonly used wax, as it was inexpensive and readily available.
The Romans are known for their innovations in architecture, engineering, and road-building, but they also played a significant role in the development of the candle. Roman candles were made by soaking reeds in tallow and placing them in clay pots. The wick was usually made of braided papyrus or another similar material. These early candles had a distinct advantage over previous forms of lighting, such as oil lamps, as they could be moved around easily and provided a more stable source of light.
As the Roman Empire expanded, so too did the use of candles. They became a common source of light and were used in homes, churches, and public buildings. The Romans also used candles in religious ceremonies and as a way to tell time. It is believed that the early Romans used a form of a timekeeping device known as a 'candle clock', which involved marking the passage of time by the burning of a candle of standard size and composition.
The Romans' use of candles and their influence on candle-making spread across Europe, and by the Middle Ages, candle-making had become a skilled craft. Beeswax candles, in particular, became highly sought after and were often used in churches and by the wealthy. However, for the majority of people, tallow candles remained the most common and affordable option.
The invention of the wicked candle by the Romans revolutionized lighting and had a lasting impact on the world. Their innovation paved the way for further developments in candle-making and provided a source of light that was portable, relatively long-lasting, and could be easily produced. While the materials and methods have evolved over time, the basic design of a candle with a wick remains unchanged, a testament to the Romans' ingenuity and their contribution to our daily lives.
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Early candle-making methods
The use of candles dates back to ancient times, with various ancient civilisations developing candles independently using materials that were readily available to them. 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. However, these rushlights did not have wicks like true candles.
In Europe, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax from the Roman period until the modern era. Beeswax was a byproduct of honey collection and was purified by boiling it in seawater several times. Tallow, on the other hand, was rendered from animal fat. In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe, offering a purer, cleaner-burning, and sweet-smelling alternative to tallow candles. However, due to their higher cost, beeswax candles were typically limited to church ceremonies and the homes of the wealthy.
Candles were produced using a variety of methods, including dipping or drawing a wick in molten wax or tallow, shaping it by hand, or pouring wax or tallow over the wick. In the 14th century, the use of moulds was introduced, which later improved in the 19th century, allowing for the mass production of candles.
In China, textual evidence suggests that candles were made from whale fat during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). Chinese candles may also have been made from beeswax, stillingia tallow from the Chinese tallow tree, or Chinese wax derived from insects. In India, candle wax was made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree, while in Japan, candles were made from wax extracted from tree nuts.
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Candles in religious ceremonies
The use of candles in religious ceremonies dates back thousands of years. While the exact origins of candles are unknown, it is believed that they were first used by the Ancient Egyptians, who created torches by soaking reeds in melted animal fat. The Ancient Greeks and Romans also used candles in their religious ceremonies, with the Romans adopting the use of wicked candles from the Etruscans, who are thought to have developed them in the 7th century BC.
In Christian churches, candles took on decorative, symbolic, and ceremonial significance. By the end of the 3rd century, wax candles were documented as Easter candles in Spain and Italy. In the 4th century, the Christian festival of Candlemas was named after the candle, and Pope Sergius I instituted the procession of lighted candles. The use of candles in Christian liturgies became firmly established by the close of the 4th century, with the controversy between St. Jerome and Vigilantius as evidence.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, candles are lit before icons of Jesus Christ or the Theotokos. Orthodox churches typically use long, thin candles placed in round containers with sockets or sand. Lutheran, Anglican, and Roman Catholic churches do not distinguish between candles lit for the living and the departed. In the Roman Catholic Church, candles are often placed before statues of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or other saints. Votive candles are lit to fulfill a vow, give honor, and seek help from the saint before whom they are lit.
Lutheran churches may light votive candles at home or in church, usually on altar rails or before the altar cross. They are also lit during the liturgy of Good Friday and are commonplace in Nordic Lutheran churches. Anglican churches, particularly those in the High Church or Anglo-Catholic tradition, use votive candles for praying for the dead and seeking saintly intercession. During Allhallowtide, especially on All Saints' Day, votive candles are lit, and a prayer is said for each deceased member of the congregation.
In the Jewish religion, the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, centers on the lighting of candles and dates back to 165 B.C. Hindus light lamps daily in their homes, sometimes before an altar, as a strong symbol of enlightenment, hope, and prosperity. Diwali, the festival of lights, symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Zoroastrianism also reveres fire as the visible expression of Ahura Mazda, the eternal principle of light and righteousness.
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Industrial candle production
The industrial production of candles began in the 19th century, with the introduction of large-scale manufacturing techniques for mass production. This revolutionised the candle-making process and made candles affordable and accessible to the general public. Before this, candlemakers would go from house to house, making candles from kitchen fats, or they would make and sell their own candles from small shops.
The key innovation that enabled industrial candle production was the invention of a machine by Joseph Morgan in 1834. This machine allowed for the continuous production of moulded candles using a cylinder with a moveable piston to eject candles as they solidified. With this method, approximately 1,500 candles could be produced per hour, a significant increase in productivity compared to traditional methods.
The raw materials used in industrial candle production varied depending on the region and the type of candle being manufactured. In Europe, tallow, derived from animal fats, was the standard material for candles due to its affordability. However, beeswax was preferred by the wealthy and for church ceremonies as it burned cleanly and had a pleasant scent. The whaling industry, which began in the 18th century, introduced spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whales, as another popular material for candle-making.
As technology advanced, candle-makers began to separate animal fats to obtain solid fatty acids like stearine, which produced odourless and brighter-burning candles. Paraffin, a wax derived from petroleum, became popular in the 1860s and was often blended with other waxes to improve durability and reduce costs.
The industrial production of candles involved several steps. First, the wax base was heated and melted into a clear, near-liquid state. This molten wax was then carefully filtered to remove any impurities that could interfere with the burning process. Dyes or perfumes could be added at this stage to create scented or coloured candles.
Next, the molten wax was formed into candles through methods such as dipping, pouring, or extrusion. In the dipping method, wicks were repeatedly dipped into the molten wax until the desired thickness was achieved. In the pouring method, melted wax was poured over a suspended wick, which was simultaneously twirled. In extrusion, the wax was forced through a die of the desired shape, with the wick placed in the centre, resulting in a continuous length of candle that was then cut into specific sizes.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact date of the invention of candles is unknown. However, 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 around 3,000 B.C.
In ancient times, candles were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. Romans made dipped candles from tallow and beeswax, while the Chinese used wax from insects and Indians used wax from boiling cinnamon.
Candle-making techniques evolved significantly during the 19th century. In the 1820s, French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, creating stearin wax. In 1834, Joseph Morgan invented a machine that allowed for continuous production of moulded candles.
Before the invention of candles, ancient people used open fire, torches, splinters of resinous wood, and oil lamps to provide light at night. Oil lamps with a lit wick resting in a pool of oil or fat were used from the Paleolithic period.
Today, candles are primarily used for aesthetic and decorative purposes, adding ambiance to a room or serving as emergency lighting during power outages. They also hold symbolic and ceremonial significance in various cultural and religious contexts, such as vigils, Christmas, and Hanukkah.
