Candles have played a significant role in providing light and illuminating celebrations for over 5,000 years. Long before the advent of electric lighting, candles and oil lamps were the primary sources of illumination, a tradition that persists in regions without access to electricity. Let us delve a little deeper into the history of candles.
The earliest candle-like devices are attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who created rushlights or torches by saturating the pithy core of reeds with melted animal fat. These rushlights, however, lacked a wick, unlike true candles. While the Egyptians were experimenting with wicked candles around 3,000 B.C., the ancient Romans are generally credited with advancing the development of wicked candles before that time. They achieved this by repeatedly dipping rolled papyrus into melted tallow or beeswax.
In Europe, beeswax candles made their debut. Unlike tallow, which is derived from animals, beeswax burned cleanly and purely, producing no smoky flame. Additionally, it emitted a pleasant, sweet fragrance when lit. While beeswax candles were commonly used in church ceremonies, their high cost made them a luxury that only the wealthy could afford for home use.
Historical records reveal that many other early civilizations also fashioned wicked candles using waxes derived from indigenous plants and insects. For instance, early Chinese candles were molded in paper tubes with rolled rice paper wicks and wax sourced from indigenous insects and seeds. In Japan, candles were crafted from wax extracted from tree nuts, and in India, candle wax was created by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.
Candles experienced a resurgence in the first half of the 20th century, driven by the growth of industries that produced the key candle ingredients, paraffin, and stearic acid. This led to a significant increase in the availability of candles in markets worldwide.
In the 1980s, candles witnessed another surge in popularity, with a particular interest in scented candles. Fragrances such as lavender, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, garlic, vanilla, peppermint, pineapple, orange peel, lemon peel, peppercorns, coriander, mint, rosemary, thyme, sage, basil, chamomile, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and cinnamon became highly sought after. Candles began to be seen not just as sources of light but also as decorative items, mood-setters, and gifts.
The 1990s marked another era of heightened candle popularity as new types of candle wax were introduced for the first time in decades. Agricultural chemists developed soybean wax, known for its softer and slower-burning properties compared to paraffin. Simultaneously, efforts were underway to develop palm wax for use in candles. Today, coconut wax has joined the list of organic, natural waxes used in candle making.
In contemporary times, candles have found a much broader range of applications beyond mere illumination. They continue to be used in religious ceremonies, celebrations, home décor enhancement, and as providers of fragrance. Candles are also a popular choice for gifts, symbolizing a light of hope that casts a warm glow for all to enjoy.
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