The definition of candle is a light source now mostly used for decorating and ceremonial purposes consisting of wax, tallow or other slow burning material most often cylindrical in shape but made in many functional designs enclosing and saturating a fibrous wick.
The use of candles may date all the way back to Ancient Egyptian times. The Egyptians were using wicked candles as early as 3000BC, although it is thought that they were actually developed by the Romans prior to that time. Candles did not appear in Europe until sometime after 400AD. This is thought to be because in this part of the world olive oil was readily available for burning in lamps.
In ancient times tallow was most commonly used to make candles. Today they are most often made from paraffin wax. Beeswax, soy and other plant based waxes are also commonly used. Fragrance oils and or essential oils are used to produce candles in a very wide variety of beautiful scents. Beeswax and soy waxes are cleaner burning and give off fewer chemicals into the air than petroleum based paraffin. However highly refined paraffin can burn just as cleanly as natural waxes. Besides burning cleaner than most paraffin soy wax also burns at a lower temperature than paraffin making severe burns from melted wax less likely to occur though proper candle safety should always be practiced.
Originally developed to light up the darkness of night candles are no longer needed as a main source of light. Although, yes, they may still light up the darkness in times of no power and in places with no power, today's candles have many more uses. They are often used for the warm ambiance a little candlelight can give to any room. Scented candles are often used in aroma therapy both to sooth and to stimulate the senses. They are used to pleasantly scent any room in our home. Throughout the world candles are often used in cultural and religious ceremonies. We light them in remembrance of a lost loved one. We light them in times of joy such as at a wedding. We light them year after year in celebration of our birthdays. There is nothing like soft candlelight for a romantic dinner or to bring Holiday cheer. Candles and the various forms of decorative holders used to display them have become an integral part of our interior design. They make wonderful gifts.
The use of candles may date all the way back to Ancient Egyptian times. The Egyptians were using wicked candles as early as 3000BC, although it is thought that they were actually developed by the Romans prior to that time. Candles did not appear in Europe until sometime after 400AD. This is thought to be because in this part of the world olive oil was readily available for burning in lamps.
In ancient times tallow was most commonly used to make candles. Today they are most often made from paraffin wax. Beeswax, soy and other plant based waxes are also commonly used. Fragrance oils and or essential oils are used to produce candles in a very wide variety of beautiful scents. Beeswax and soy waxes are cleaner burning and give off fewer chemicals into the air than petroleum based paraffin. However highly refined paraffin can burn just as cleanly as natural waxes. Besides burning cleaner than most paraffin soy wax also burns at a lower temperature than paraffin making severe burns from melted wax less likely to occur though proper candle safety should always be practiced.
Originally developed to light up the darkness of night candles are no longer needed as a main source of light. Although, yes, they may still light up the darkness in times of no power and in places with no power, today's candles have many more uses. They are often used for the warm ambiance a little candlelight can give to any room. Scented candles are often used in aroma therapy both to sooth and to stimulate the senses. They are used to pleasantly scent any room in our home. Throughout the world candles are often used in cultural and religious ceremonies. We light them in remembrance of a lost loved one. We light them in times of joy such as at a wedding. We light them year after year in celebration of our birthdays. There is nothing like soft candlelight for a romantic dinner or to bring Holiday cheer. Candles and the various forms of decorative holders used to display them have become an integral part of our interior design. They make wonderful gifts.
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