Tyler Brooks
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years, with the Ancient Egyptians using rushlights—a type of candle made by soaking the dried pith or core of the rush plant in melted animal fat—as early as 3,000 B.C. However, these early candles did not have wicks and it is unclear when true candles were first invented. The ancient Romans are often credited with developing wicked candles by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow or beeswax, but many other early civilizations also invented their own versions using local plants and insects. The history of candle-making is complex, with different materials and techniques being used around the world. In the 19th century, large-scale industrial manufacturing techniques were introduced, and candles became an easily affordable commodity. However, with the invention of the lightbulb in the same century, candle-making went into decline. Today, candles are mostly used as decorative items and in emergency situations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest use of candles | Ancient Egyptians |
| Earliest form of candles | Rushlights or torches made by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat |
| First wicked candles | Romans, made by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow or beeswax |
| Candle material in Europe from the Roman period | Tallow and beeswax |
| Candle material in China | Whale fat, beeswax, stillingia tallow from Chinese tallow tree, Chinese wax derived from insects |
| Candle material in Japan | Wax extracted from tree nuts |
| Candle material in India | Wax derived from boiling cinnamon |
| Candle material in Alaska and Canada | Eulachon fish, a type of smelt |
| Candle material in Europe during the Middle Ages | Beeswax |
| Candle material in the US in the 18th century | Spermaceti from sperm whales |
| Candle material in the US in the 19th century | Paraffin wax |
| Candle material in Europe in the 19th century | Stearin wax |
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What You'll Learn
The first candles
The origin of candles is unknown, but they are believed to have been used as a source of light for over 5,000 years. 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, a key component of true candles.
Evidence of candle use may also be found in Italy, where a depiction of a candlestick exists in an Etruscan tomb in Orvieto, dating back to the 7th century BC. The earliest excavated Etruscan candlestick is believed to be from the same period. It is thought that candles may have evolved from tapers (long thin candles) with wicks of oakum and other plant fibres soaked in fat, pitch, or oil.
The Ancient Romans are generally credited with developing wicked candles before the Egyptians by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. These candles were used for lighting homes, aiding travellers at night, and in religious ceremonies. The use of candles in Ancient Greece is also proposed, with the Ancient Greeks offering moon-shaped honey cakes lit by little torches or candles to the moon goddess Artemis, possibly originating the tradition of putting candles on birthday cakes.
In China, textual and archaeological evidence suggests that candles were used during the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE), with historian Sima Qian claiming that the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, contained candles made from whale fat. The word "zhú" was used for "candle" during the Warring States period (403–221 BCE), and excavated bronzewares from this era feature prickets thought to hold candles.
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Ancient civilisations' candles
The use of candles in ancient civilisations dates back thousands of years, with various materials and methods employed for their creation. The earliest use of candles is often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who created rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. While these early Egyptian candles lacked a wick, they still served as a source of light.
In ancient Greece, it is believed that the use of candles was adopted, with references to moon-shaped honey cakes lit by small torches or candles in offerings to the moon goddess Artemis. This tradition is thought to have evolved into the practice of placing candles on birthday cakes in later periods. Additionally, objects resembling candle holders have been discovered in Babylonian and middle Minoan cultures, as well as in the tomb of Tutankhamun, indicating the potential use of candles in these ancient civilisations.
The ancient Romans played a significant role in the development of wicked candles, creating them by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. These candles were used for lighting homes, aiding travellers at night, and in religious ceremonies. Romans made true dipped candles from tallow and beeswax, and while beeswax was superior in terms of smell and burn quality, tallow was more widely used due to its cheaper cost and easier availability.
In China, textual and archaeological evidence suggests the use of candles made from whale fat during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). The word "zhú" was used for "candle" during the Warring States period (403–221 BCE), and excavated bronzewares from this era feature prickets thought to hold candles. Chinese candles may have also been made from beeswax, stillingia tallow from the Chinese tallow tree, or Chinese wax derived from insects.
The use of wicked candles in Italy during the Etruscan period is also notable, with a picture of a candlestick found in an Etruscan tomb at Orvieto, dating back to possibly the 7th century BC. Early candles were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax, and methods included dipping or drawing a wick in molten wax or tallow, shaping it by hand, or pouring wax or tallow over the wick.
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Candles in religious ceremonies
The use of candles in religious ceremonies is an ancient practice that has been adopted by many major world religions. The ceremonial use of lights occurs in the liturgies of various Christian Churches, as well as in Jewish, Zoroastrian, Hindu, Buddhist, and ancient Greek and Roman rites and customs.
Christianity
Candles have been used in Christian ceremonies and prayer services since at least the 2nd century. They are used to commemorate individual saints or biblical events, as signs of religious fervour or joy, and to represent Christ, the Uncreated and Eternal Light. Miniature 'votive' candles are often used as part of prayer rituals or to honour God. Christians also light candles for prayers, signifying an intention to pray for someone. Vigil candles are lit during prayer services and other religious ceremonies and can also be used to mark special occasions. Other types of candles used by the Church include baptismal candles, confirmation candles, paschal candles, and sanctuary candles, each with its own special meaning and purpose.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrians revere fire as the visible expression of Ahura Mazda, the eternal principle of light and righteousness.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, fire is worshipped as divine and omniscient. Diwali, the festival of lights, symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Lamps are lit daily in almost all Hindu homes, sometimes before an altar, and a diya, or clay lamp, is frequently used in Hindu celebrations and forms an integral part of many social rites.
Buddhism
Buddhists often place candles in front of shrines as a mark of respect or deference. Along with incense, candles are used to evoke the state of impermanence and change, a cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy. The light from a candle is also said to symbolise the enlightenment of the Buddha. On the day before Buddhist Lent, the Thai people celebrate the Candle Festival, where vast crowds gather with ornamented candles and march in parades of colour and light.
Ancient Greece and Rome
The Greeks and Romans had their sacred fires and ceremonial lights. In Greece, the Lampadedromia or Lampadephoria (torch race) was connected with the relighting of the sacred fire. Lamps were also lighted in the cult of the domestic tutelary deities, and in the temples were candelabra.
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Industrialised candles
The manufacture of candles became an industrialised mass market in the 19th century. In 1834, Joseph Morgan, a pewterer from Manchester, England, patented a machine that revolutionised candle-making. It allowed for the continuous production of moulded candles using a cylinder with a moveable piston to eject candles as they solidified. This method produced about 1,500 candles per hour, according to his patent: "with three men and five boys [the machine] will manufacture two tons of candle in twelve hours". This made candles affordable for poorer people for the first time.
At this time, candlemakers also began to fashion wicks out of tightly braided (rather than simply twisted) strands of cotton. This technique makes wicks curl over as they burn, maintaining the height of the wick and therefore the flame. Because much of the excess wick is incinerated, these are referred to as "self-trimming" or "self-consuming" wicks.
The introduction of stearin (initially manufactured from animal fats but now produced almost exclusively from palm waxes) and then paraffin wax in the 19th century meant that inexpensive, high-quality candles could be manufactured that burned cleanly with no unpleasant odours. The candle industry declined rapidly upon the introduction of superior methods of lighting, including kerosene and lamps, and the 1879 invention of the incandescent lightbulb.
Today, most candles are still mass-produced from paraffin wax using a highly mechanised process. However, there are also many craftspeople and companies making artisan candles and hand-dipped candles. These can be made with paraffin wax or beeswax, but many makers are now using alternative waxes such as soy, rapeseed, and sunflower oils to appeal to the market for vegan and eco-alternatives to petrochemicals. Modern production methods use extrusion moulding. More traditional production methods entail melting the solid fuel by the controlled application of heat. The liquid is then poured into a mould, or a wick is repeatedly immersed in the liquid to create a dipped tapered candle.
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Contemporary candles
The use of candles has evolved from a necessity for lighting and religious rituals to a decorative and aromatic accessory in modern times. While ancient civilisations such as the Greeks and Romans used torches, oil lamps, and early forms of candles, the decline in candle use came with the advent of electric lighting. However, candles have persisted as a source of ambiance and fragrance in modern homes.
Today, candles are often marketed for their aesthetic value and ability to enhance the mood of a space. They are commonly sold in decorative containers, such as coloured concrete jars, which can be reused even after the candle has burned out. The scented candle market has particularly flourished, with companies creating unique fragrances to evoke specific destinations or experiences.
The materials used for candle-making have also become more diverse and environmentally conscious. Natural waxes like soy and plant-based waxes are favoured for their clean-burning properties and low soot production. Some companies also emphasise the absence of palm in their candles, promoting environmental sustainability.
The manufacturing and shipping processes of contemporary candles vary depending on the company. While some companies hand-pour their candles, others utilise industrial manufacturing techniques for mass production. Shipping rates and timelines may differ, taking into account factors such as weight, location, and peak order periods.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear who invented the first candle, but candle making was independently developed in several countries around the world. 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. Evidence of candle use has also been found in Italy, where a depiction of a candlestick exists in an Etruscan tomb at Orvieto, dating back to the 7th century BC.
The earliest candles were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. In Europe, from the Roman period until the modern era, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax. In China, textual evidence suggests that candles may have been made from whale fat during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE). In India, candles were made from boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.
While the basic design of candles has remained largely unchanged, there have been improvements in wick technology and the development of new waxes. In the 19th century, French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul discovered how to extract stearic acid from animal fatty acids, leading to the creation of stearin wax, which burned cleanly and was affordable for the masses. The introduction of mechanized production and the use of paraffin wax in the 1850s also contributed to the widespread availability of candles.
