Candles have
been used for light and illumination for more than 5,000 years. However, little
is known about their origin. It is believed that the first candles were
developed either by the Romans or Ancient Egyptians. Through the years, candles
have continued to evolve from being a necessity to more of an item for
celebrations and home décor.
The First Candles
The Ancient
Egyptians used torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat;
however, these lights had no wick so may not be considered a true candle. The
first candle with a wick is credited to the Romans who dipped rolled papyrus
repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. The resulting candles were used to light
their homes, for religious ceremonies and to aid travelers at night.
Historians have
found evidence of other early civilizations developing candles with wicks using
waxes made from available insects and plants. In Japan, candles were made of
wax extracted from tree nuts. Early Chinese may have molded candles in paper
tubes, using rolled rice paper for the wick and wax from an indigenous insect
that was combined with seeds. In India, candle wax was made by boiling the
fruit of the cinnamon tree.
Candles in the Middle Ages
Most early
Western cultures relied primarily on candles rendered from animal fat (tallow).
During the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe. Unlike
animal-based tallow, beeswax burned clean and pure, without producing a smoky
flame. It also emitted a pleasant, sweet smell rather than the foul, acrid odor
of tallow. Beeswax candles were widely used for church ceremonies, but since
they were expensive, few individuals other than the wealthy could afford to
burn them at home.
Tallow candles
remained the common household candle for Europeans. By the 13th
century, candlemaking had become a guild craft in France and England.
Candlemakers (chandlers) went from house to house making candles from the
kitchen fats saved for that purpose. They would also make and sell their own
candles from small candle shops.
Candles in Colonial Times
Colonial women
were the first to bring America’s contribution to candlemaking. They discovered
that boiling the grayish-green berries of bayberry bushes produced a
sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly. However, extracting this wax was very
tedious, so the popularity soon diminished.
The first major
change in candlemaking since the Middle Ages came in the late 18th
century. Spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil, became available
in quantity. Like beeswax, the spermaceti wax did not elicit a bad odor when
burned, and it produced a significantly brighter light. It was also harder than
either beeswax or tallow, so it didn’t soften or bend in the summer heat.
Historians note that the first “standard candles” were made from spermaceti
wax.
We will continue
with candles through the 19th and 20th centuries to today
in part 2 of this blog series. Be sure to check back for that! In the meantime,
you can browse our large selection of candles including Milkhouse Candles, WoodWick Candles and more.
