History of Candlelight

Once early man had discovered fire, the next step was to carry it to where he wanted to provide warmth and light. The first candles took the form of crude resinous torches. Following this, man wanted something that would last (burn) longer. He discovered that wood, when torn apart, produced fibers that could be twisted and formed into ‘wicks’ that would lengthen the burning time.

The development of candles follows that of man’s. It is believed that the first contact with light may have been with volcanic fires. Not only was fire and light a source of warmth but it became a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and religious worship.

Although the history of candles is not recorded, it is believed that the Egyptians produced the first candles by dipping reeds into animal fat. Evidence of candle holders from as early the fourth century have been found in Egypt and there are several references to candles in the Bible.

The Jewish Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah (Chanukah), began in 165 B.C. This eight day celebration centers on the lighting of candles, feasting and the exchanging of gifts. Historically it is the celebration of the Jews successful revolt against the King of Syria’s mandate that his subjects worship the Greek Gods.

The first candles used by the Romans were used in religious ceremonies and as a source of lighting and decoration in their court settings, pageants and banquet rooms. It is believed they were made both as torches and with wax or tallow with the wicks being made from papyrus.

Early candles were made with ropes of dried vegetable fibers, sticks or flax threads dipped in pitch, saturated fats, natural resins, tar, or wax or in various mixtures of the later. When resinous woods were scarce, the pith of rushes reeds and grasses were used as wicks.

Eventually candles made with wicks from twisted cotton surrounded by greaseless sterine, bayberry wax, beeswax and spermaceti replaced, and were a great improvement over, the earlier candles.

Early Chinese and Japanese candles were molded in paper tubes with a wax made from an insect known as a “Cocus” mixed with seeds from various trees. The wicks were made of rolled-up rice paper. In India candles were made from wax skimmed from boiling cinnamon as use of animals fats was prohibited by religious decree. Along the Northwest coast of North American the Indians discovered that they could produce light by inserting the oily candlefish (dried smelt) into the Y of a slit stick and lighting it. In Shetland the Stormy Petrel as well as other birds known to have a high content of fat in their bodies were hunted, killed, dried and had wicks put down their throats in order to produce light.

The pioneer Americans made candles from dipping wicks in bear’s grease, deer suet or moose fat. They soon discovered that small amounts of bayberry or beeswax improved the candles. The candles made with berries gave off a pleasant fragrance when extinguished instead of the fatty smell given off by tallow candles. It was also found that the candles made with bayberry were not greasy to the touch and did not melt in hot weather.

Candles have become part of many traditions and beliefs throughout man’s history. Ancient customs decreed that a candle be lit at the time of death to prevent demons from seizing the soul of the dying. The Greeks and Romans lit candles or torches to accompany the dead to his last home. Candles used in churches until the 15th century were made of beeswax because it was thought that bees originated in Paradise.

Fortunes were once told from reading candle drippings and it was believed that the only night of the year it was safe to discuss evil spirits was on Christmas Eve when the lighted candles burned.

Puritans primed their Christmas candles with a bit of gunpowder to usher Christmas in with a flash and an explosion.

These are just some of the customs and beliefs connected to candles and candlelight. Some of the most important classics were written by candlelight and still, today, the candle holds it place in our day to day life. From romantic dinners to special celebrations candles have evolved from functional items to creative centerpieces. Now considered works of art, hundreds of people have found candle making to be a satisfying hobby.