Candles and oil lamps began with the simple function of providing light.  Before the invention of electricity, candles and oil lamps were the main source of indoor lighting.  According to a reference by Wikipedia, candles were more common in northern Europe until the 19th century, and oil lamps were primarily used in southern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Candles have been used in religious ceremonies of various faiths for centuries.  Candles are traditional in Buddhist rituals and are placed before shrines of the Buddha to show respect.  In the Christian faith, candles are commonly used to symbolize the light of God and are lit to accompany prayer or various religious processions.  In the Hindu faith, lamps are an integral part of social customs and celebrations, and they symbolize enlightenment and prosperity.  In Judaism, candles are used to celebrate various holidays, festivals, and to honor the anniversary of the death of a loved one.  In celebrations of Kwanzaa, candles in different colors are used to symbolize African American people, their struggles, and their hopes.  In Wicca and Paganism, candles are frequently used in rituals and for meditative purposes.  Candles are often used to represent the four elements: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water.  In various religions, candles are most commonly used for symbolism.

Candles were also used for timekeeping since they burn consistently and measurably.  Timekeeping candles originally were marked with time measurements along the wax.  A reference by Wikipedia states that by the 18th century, candle-clocks were being made with weights on the sides of the candle that fell off into a bowl, making a noise.  Candle-clocks were used in coal mining until the 20th century.  Candles are no longer used for this purpose, but are still often used to represent the passing of time.  For example, people burn Advent candles that represent each day leading up to Christmas.

As technology advances, candles continue change, and their popularity continues to grow.

Candle making has been around since the first century, but has been independently developed by many countries throughout history.  Early candles were made from various types of natural fat, tallow, and wax.  The Egyptians made candles out of beeswax as early as 3000 BC, and the Chinese made candles from whale fat.  In India, temple candles were made from wax produced by boiling cinnamon.

During the middle ages, tallow became the standard material used in candles in Europe.  Tallow was made from the fat of cows and sheep, containing glycerine.  The glycerine content produced a very unpleasant smell, which led several European cities to ban the manufacturing of tallow candles.  In the 18th century, Spermaceti, oil produced by the sperm whale, was used to make very expensive candles.  Later in the 18th century, colza oil and rapeseed oil were discovered, which were a much cheaper alternative to previous oils.  These oils produced candles with clear, smokeless flames.  Two French chemists patented stearin in 1811, which was derived from animals like tallow, but contained no glycerine.

The industrialization of the candle production was started in 1834 when Joseph Morgan invented a machine that could manufacture 1500 candles per hour from a mold.  There were many failed attempts to make paraffin commercially viable by different chemists, but James Young finally succeeded in 1850 with a patent to produce paraffin from coal.  Paraffin could be used to make high quality candles that were inexpensive, odorless, and clean burning.  The distillation of kerosene and invention of electricity caused a decline in the candle industry.

Since then, candles have become more of a decorative item and are available in various sizes, colors, shapes, and scents.  Candles are now made from various types of wax.  People now use candles to symbolize celebration, set a romantic mood, accent decor in homes and offices, and to soothe the senses.  Popular candles used today are pillar candles, votive candles, taper candles, and floating candles.

Most people know what a candle is, but have you ever wondered exactly how a candle burns?  A candle is made of a solid block of fuel, usually wax, and an embedded wick.  A match or lighter is used to ignite the wick, which vaporizes a small amount of fuel.  Once vaporized, the fuel combines with oxygen in the air to form a flame.  The flame provides sufficient heat to keep the candle burning.  The heat of the flame melts the top of the mass of solid fuel, and the liquified fuel then moves upward through the wick via capillary action.  Then, the liquified fuel is then vaporized to burn within the candle’s flame.

As the solid fuel is melted and consumed, the candle grows shorter.  Portions of the wick that are not evaporating the liquid fuel are consumed in the flame.  This limits the exposed length of the wick and keeps the temperature and rate of fuel consumption even.  Some wicks must be manually trimmed for even burning.  Eventually, the wick will distinguish due to the lack of fuel.  The pillar candle shown above will burn for approximately 25 hours.

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