Origin of Candles and Traditional Trends

The use of candle was originated almost 5,000 years ago in order to get light and celebrate the different kinds of ceremonies according to the social and traditional trends. How and where the candle was originated? That’s the important question to know the answer we take a cursory view of history where a lot of informative stuff is present about the history of candle. However it is too vague idea to know in details the origin of candles.

By knowing the historical background of the candle, we come to know that first candle was invented by Egyptians who used to burn animal fat to absorb reeds in it and get light from it. The candles made of reeds s’ essence had no wick. Then time elapsed and Egyptians developed wicked candles in 3,000 B.C while Romans used to have candles in the form of rolled papyrus dipped in the melted beeswax or tallow before the development of candles with wicks.

Mostly candles were used to brighten home at night, to guide the traveler in the dark places and to celebrate the religious ceremonies devotedly. Candles have been the central part of all kinds of religious and traditional festivities in the ancient as well as present age. The Jewish ceremony of light, Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting candles abundantly about 165 B.C. There are many biblical references are found to focus the importance of candles in famous festival, Easter and other religious occasions.

There are many other historical allusions are found in the history how different kind of civilizations devised methods to make wicked candles as some people of ancient age used plants and insects to make wicked candles. Chinese candles of very early age were made of paper tubes in molded form while wick was made of rolled rice paper. In the middle ages, most advanced methods were employed to make refined candles as all methods of preparation of candles by animal fat were discarded and candles made by beeswax were introduced in the western civilization.

In 18th and 19th century, candle industry had been established to manufacture candles on large scale with variety of candles. The well-known chemist michel Eugene chevreul in 1820s had formulated a method to make candles by the extraction of steric acid from the fatty acids of animals, producing stearin wax, very long-lasting and neatly burned stuff. The popularity of candles has been remain intact till now, devising new tips of candle making to satisfy the growing interests of people in candles.

Now the candles of modern age are made in different styles, colors, sizes and shapes beautifully. In the current age, candles have become the symbol of romance, decoration, thematic implications in terms of emotions, traditional trends and religious festivals. Now the modern candles are well-developed and well-distinguished models of original candles.