A Brief History of Candles
From Websters Dictionary
1 : a usually molded or dipped mass of wax or tallow containing a wick that may be burned (as to give light, heat, or scent or for celebration or votive [means to express vow, wish, desire] purposes)
Generally speaking, a hard wax form with a central core of fabric or paper, currently used as a decorative or ceremonial object.
When I first started looking into the origins of candles, my own knowledge was pretty standard. But after spending some time looking (and not finding much) I sat down to evaluate what I had learned. I discovered I had found more than I thought.
If you break the definition down slightly more, candle (light source or lamp) becomes a combustible substance whose burn is controled with a wicking material. (wicking=a bundle of fibers which draw up by capillary attraction)
Candles work by combustion of gas. The heat from the flame melts the wax and the wick wicks the melted wax upward. As the melted wax reaches the flame, it turns to gas and the combustion is what creates and maintains the flame. The flame is in fact, very hot carbon soot. (This is why following burning instructions and buying quality candles is so important.)
I always though of candles as the first real artificial light source. However, as I read more about light sources, I discovered that a variation on candles really appears to preceed them. Dishes of animal fat appear to be the earliest recorded and discovered light sources. They worked just like candles, except that the fat was used in a liquified state. It was placed in a dish or bowl with a fabric or plant material which was set aflame to burn through the liquified fat.
Even earlier than 50,000 BC, this type of lamp was in use. Later in history there were candle sticks discovered and dated as old as 3000 BC. By the middle ages tallow candles were in wide use.
Tallow was produced mostly from the suet of various farm animals like cattle. It was available to most cultures and can also be derived from a variety of plants. Tallow and beeswax were the first waxes to be used to make candles. (Note: a honey bee consumes up to 10 pounds of honey to produce 1 pound of wax.) Then in the 19th century, petroleum drilling began. The first paraffin wax was a by-product of petroleum. Harder and less greasy than tallow, it became the primary ingredient in candles. Synthetic paraffin came into existence after World War II. It's superior quality made it the primary ingredient in most modern waxes and plastics.
One of the things I found interesting was (in fact quite logical) a couple of ways candles have contributed to our general knowledge. Did you know...Candles wer originally used to determine and qualify the measurement of light intensity?...and...Use of a candle is how oxygen was discovered?
Candles were also historically used to light theaters. In the 16th century, candles were commonly placed behind flasks of amber or blue colored water. Although expensive and dangerous at the time, candles were the exclusive light source for indoor theaters until the early 19th century when gas lighting was introduced.
Candles have played a major role in religious ceremonies and events, as well. Some of the ones you may recognize are
Candles have also been used with fragrance for a variety of reasons. There has always been tremendous ceremonial and spititual significance to scents. Now we find many versions of aroma-therapy candles for personal use.
One of the things about all this that I enjoy most is that in most ways this "technology" has changed so little over time, and yet we still are immensely captivated by candles. I believe that is demonstrated in the spiritual qualities which candles inspire. Whether it is romance, relaxation, festivity or anything else, we use candles to enhance the quality of our lives. It is remarkable to think of something so simple and ancient as having so much significance today.
Melinda
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