A Brief History Of Candles

In The Beginning

In The Beginning

Man, woman, fire, water and a whole bunch of animals trying to eat man and woman! That was the scene some millenia ago. Perhaps fire was man's main protection from predatory animals that roamed the ancient world? We know it served to cook their food, light their shelter and obviously keep them warm. This rudimentary need for fire in and around our lives is in our genes. Fire fulfils some long held deep need within each and every one of us. Candles, Open fires, wood burners etc are becoming more desirable today. It's an animal thing and helps make our homes more cosy and inviting. This article provides a brief history of candles in particular, the people who made them, the societies that used them and the materials they were made from.

Candle Origins

Candles from beeswax have been recorded as early as 3000 BC in ancient Egypt. The Chinese made candles from the fat of Whales during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and in early China and Japan, tapers made with wax from insects and seeds, wrapped in paper are known to have been used. The wax from boiling cinnamon was used for temple candles in ancient India. During the first century AD, Groups of people in the Pacific Northwest fused oil from the Eulachon (or "candle fish"), to make a rudimentary candle. Candles are an ancient product originally made out of necessity for light in homes and for use in religious practises.

1 AD - 1300 AD

Ancient Romans used tallow candles. Made from suet, Tallow is a crumbly animal fat and was very smoky to burn but was easy to obtain and process into candles. The Romans forgave the smoke as the light produced was very useful. In ancient Rome, these tallow candles were used everywhere. At altars, shrines, in temples and in many private homes, Candles were very popular. Producing tallow candles was a straight forward affair. The tallow was Put into a melting pot and poured into bronze moulds. The wick was usually a cord made from the pith of rushes and was hung from a horizontal rod over the mould when the molten tallow was poured.

1300 AD - Recent Times

In Europe, the earliest surviving candle was discovered near Avignon in France, from the first century AD During the Middle Ages in Europe, the popularity of candles is shown by their use in religious festivals. Tallow was the standard candle material used in Europe. The Tallow Chandlers Company of London was formed in about 1300 AD and in 1456 was granted a coat of arms. Dating from about 1330, The Wax Chandlers Company acquired its charter in 1484. By about 1415, tallow candles were used in street lighting. The trade of the chandler is also recorded by the more picturesque name of "Smeremongere", since they oversaw the manufacture of sauces, vinegar, soap and cheese. The unpleasant smell of tallow candles is due to the glycerin they contain. For churches and royal events, candles from beeswax were used, as the smell was usually less unpleasant. The smell of the manufacturing process of tallow candles was so unpleasant that it was banned by ordinance in several cities of the time. The 1800's save the discovery of paraffin. Cleaner and without the pungent smell, paraffin candles become very popular. With the ensuing mechanisation of the process of candle making and much lower costs, candles had become available to the mass populace.

Candle Making As A Profession

Candle makers are known as a Chandlers. By the 14th century, candle making had become a guild graft in France and England. Chandlers went from house to house selling their own candles or making candles for the home owners from fats saved from the kitchen.

Latest Market And Candle Making Developments

During the 1990's, new candle waxes were being developed due to an unusually high demand for candles. In the U.S., agricultural chemists began to develop soybean wax. Soy wax was a softer and slower burning wax than paraffin. On the other side of the world, Palm wax was being developed for use in candles. Developments continue apace today with better wax blends being developed for cleaner burning, more sustainable candles. Scented candles are very popular today with an estimated global market value of $2.5 Billion in 2005. From the humble cave fire to fragrance within the home, candles are an enduring symbol of romance that makes us feel in touch our ancient past.

by: Haitham Al-Ubaidi

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