Jessie Taylor
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years, with the earliest use often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who created rushlights by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. However, these did not have a true candle wick. The Ancient Romans are generally credited with developing the wicked candle, which they made by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. The word candle itself is more recent, dating back to the 14th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest use of candles | The Ancient Egyptians made torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat as early as 3000 BC |
| First wicked candle | The Ancient Egyptians in 3000 BC, though some sources claim the Romans invented the first wicked candle |
| Candle from beeswax | Romans, Indians, and the upper echelons of society in the Middle Ages |
| Candle from animal fat | Romans, Ancient Egyptians, Colonial women in America, Europeans, Ancient Greeks, Ancient Japanese, Ancient Chinese, Europeans in the Middle Ages |
| Candle from whale fat | Chinese in the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), Europeans in the 18th and 19th centuries |
| Candle from insect wax | Ancient Chinese, Ancient Japanese, Colonial women in America |
| Candle from plant wax | Romans, Ancient Chinese, Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Japanese, Ancient Greeks, Colonial women in America, Europeans in the Middle Ages |
| First major change in candlemaking | The whaling industry in the late 18th century |
| Mass production of candles | 1834 by Joseph Morgan, an inventor from Manchester, England |
| First candle | Invented by French chemist Michel-Eugène Chevreul in the 1820s |
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What You'll Learn
The first candles
The history of candles dates back to ancient civilizations, with various materials and techniques used over time. The first candles were likely invented by the Ancient Egyptians around 3000 BC. These early Egyptians made rushlights or torches by dipping reed cores into melted animal fat and using them as a source of light. However, these early Egyptian candles lacked a true candle wick, distinguishing them from the wicked candles that would come later.
Around 500 BC, the ancient Romans are believed to have created the first wicked candles. They achieved this by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly into melted tallow (animal fat) or beeswax. These Roman candles, which burned more cleanly and produced less odour than pure animal-fat candles, found multiple uses in Roman life, including lighting homes, aiding travellers at night, and playing a role in religious ceremonies.
The ancient Chinese also played a significant role in the early history of candles, with textual evidence suggesting that they may have used whale fat for candles during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). Chinese candles were also made from beeswax or stillingia tallow from the Chinese tallow tree, and they used indigenous insects combined with seeds to create wax. The earliest known surviving candle was discovered in the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty in China, dating back to 200 BC.
In India, candle-making involved boiling cinnamon tree fruit to produce wax, while the ancient Japanese used Japan wax derived from the Japanese wax tree. The ancient Greeks may have adopted candle use from the Romans, and they offered moon-shaped honey cakes, lit by small torches or candles, to the moon goddess Artemis.
The Middle Ages marked a significant period for candle-making, with beeswax candles being introduced in Europe. These candles, due to their high cost, were primarily accessible to the wealthy and were widely used in church ceremonies. The whaling industry's growth in the 18th century brought about another notable shift in candle-making, as spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whale oil, became available, offering a brighter and less unpleasant alternative to tallow.
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Ancient civilisations and their candle use
The use of candles dates back to ancient civilisations, with evidence of candle usage in ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, China, Japan, India, and North America.
The Ancient Egyptians are often credited with the earliest use of candles, using rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat as early as 3000 BC. However, these rushlights lacked a true candle wick. The Romans are generally credited with developing the wicked candle before the Egyptians, by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. These candles were used for lighting their homes, aiding travellers at night, and in religious ceremonies.
In China, textual evidence suggests that candles may have been made from whale fat during the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE). Chinese candles were also made from beeswax or stillingia tallow from the Chinese tallow tree, or Chinese wax derived from insects. Rolled rice paper was used as wicks, and these candles were moulded in paper tubes. In India, wax was made from boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree. Japanese candles used wax from tree nuts, and in North America, small oily fish were dried and burned as candles.
In ancient Greece, torches and oil lamps were used, and they may have adopted candle use later from the Romans. There is evidence of wick candles being used in Greece, as moon-shaped honey cakes offered to the moon goddess Artemis were said to be lit by little torches or candles. This is proposed as the origin of the tradition of putting candles on birthday cakes.
Candles played an important role in early religious ceremonies, such as the Jewish Festival of Lights (Hanukkah), which began in 165 BC. There are several Biblical references to candles, and Emperor Constantine is reported to have called for the use of candles during an Easter service in the 4th century.
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Candlemaking techniques
Candles are believed to have been invented by the Ancient Egyptians around 3000 BC. They made rushlights or torches by dipping reed cores in melted animal fat. However, these did not have a true candle wick. The Romans are credited with making the first true wicked candles, which they made by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax.
Dipping: This technique involves dipping a wick into molten wax or tallow repeatedly until the desired thickness is achieved. This method was used by the Romans and is considered one of the oldest techniques for making wicked candles.
Pouring: Wax or tallow is poured over the wick, which is usually placed in a mould or container. This technique is suitable for making container candles or tealight candles.
Rolling: Soft wax is rolled around a wick by hand, shaping the candle as desired. This technique is simple and does not require specialised equipment.
Moulding: Wax is melted and poured into a mould with a wick, then allowed to harden. This technique allows for more intricate shapes and designs, and it was used by Colonial women in America who made candles from bayberry bushes.
Braiding wicks: Tightly braiding cotton wicks makes the candle self-trimming, as the wick curls over on itself when burning, maintaining the height of the flame.
Using alternative waxes: Traditional candles were made with tallow (animal fat) or beeswax. However, other waxes like soy, cinnamon wax, and various plant-based waxes are now available for candle making.
Today, candle-making has become a popular hobby and small business venture, with many people opting for eco-friendly, sustainable practices and ingredients.
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Candles in religious ceremonies
The use of candles in religious ceremonies is an ancient tradition that has been practised by many civilisations throughout history. Candles are believed to have been invented by the Ancient Egyptians around 3000 BC, who created rushlights by dipping reed cores in animal fat. While these lacked a true candle wick, the Romans later developed wicked candles by dipping rolled papyrus in beeswax or tallow. Candles were used in Roman religious ceremonies and were also adopted by early Western cultures for church services, with references to their use in the Bible.
In Christian traditions, candles have been used since at least the 4th century, with Emperor Constantine reported to have called for their use during an Easter service. By the close of the 4th century, the ceremonial use of candles had become firmly established in the Church. Vigil candles are commonly placed near the front of churches during prayer services and other religious ceremonies, often near the altar or paschal candles, which represent the light of Christ. They can also be used to mark special occasions, such as baptisms and weddings. Miniature 'votive' candles are often used as part of prayer rituals or to honour God, with Christians lighting candles for prayers to signify their intention to pray for someone.
In Judaism, the Festival of Lights or Hanukkah, which centres on the lighting of candles, dates back to 165 BC. Hinduism also involves the ceremonial use of lights, with lamps lit daily in almost all Hindu homes, often before an altar. One of Hinduism's most popular festivals, Diwali, symbolises the "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". Buddhists also use candles in their ceremonies, often placing them in front of shrines as a mark of respect, with the candle's light symbolising the enlightenment of the Buddha.
The use of candles in religious ceremonies is not limited to these faiths. For example, the Zoroastrians revere fire as a visible expression of Ahura Mazda, the eternal principle of light and righteousness. The ancient Greeks and Romans also had their sacred fires and ceremonial lights, with the Greeks' Lampadedromia or Lampadephoria (torch race) connected to the relighting of the sacred fire.
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The evolution of candles
The ancient Romans are generally credited with developing the wicked candle, which they created by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly into melted tallow or beeswax. These candles were used for lighting their homes, aiding travellers at night, and in religious ceremonies. Evidence suggests that other ancient civilisations, such as the Chinese, Japanese, and Indians, also developed their own versions of wicked candles using locally available materials like waxes made from plants, insects, and animal fats.
In the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe, offering a cleaner and more pleasant-smelling alternative to the animal-based tallow candles that were commonly used in households. However, due to their expense, beeswax candles were primarily used by the wealthy and in church ceremonies. Candlemaking became a guild craft in England and France during this time, with chandlers (candlemakers) travelling door-to-door to create candles from reserved animal fats or selling their own candles from small shops.
The first significant change in candlemaking since the Middle Ages occurred in the late 18th century with the growth of the whaling industry. Spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whale oil, became readily available and offered a brighter and less repulsive alternative to tallow. In the 19th century, additional developments further revolutionised the industry, including French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul's discovery of stearic wax, which produced a clean burn, and the introduction of affordable paraffin wax. These advancements, along with Joseph Morgan's invention of a device that mechanised moulded candle production in 1834, made candles a readily available commodity for everyone.
Today, candles have evolved beyond their utilitarian origins as a source of light to become objects of decoration, comfort, and well-being, often incorporating fragrances and design elements to brighten both the home and the spirit.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of candles dates back to ancient civilizations. The Ancient Egyptians are believed to have used rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat around 3000 BC. However, these did not have a wick. The Romans are generally credited with developing wicked candles by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax.
Candles in ancient times were primarily made from tallow (animal fat) and beeswax. However, other materials were also used depending on the region. For example, in China, wax was made from crushed insects and seeds, while in India, wax was derived from boiling cinnamon tree fruit.
Candlemaking underwent significant changes in the 18th century with the growth of the whaling industry. Spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whale oil, offered a brighter and less foul-smelling alternative to tallow. In the 19th century, additional developments further revolutionized candle production, including the discovery of paraffin wax and the invention of a device that mechanized molded candle production by Joseph Morgan in 1834.
Before the invention of candles, humans relied on firelight, torches, and oil lamps as sources of light. However, these options had drawbacks, such as the need for constant supervision and the risk of spillage. Candles provided a more portable and safer alternative.
