The History of Candles

The history of the candles you display and burn in your home is long and storied. They have been used for thousands of years in places from monasteries to castles and even your ancestors homes. They have gone from being the primary source of lighting to a luxury or decor item today. Lets take a look at the path they have followed.

Candles began in a primitive form compared to what we see today. They were first made from tallow with wicks of whatever was available and would burn. When lit they put off a foul and putrid odor that only the most accustomed would not notice. They also tended to be very smoky and hard on the eyes.

Then beeswax candles were created to remedy these situations but they were only available to the wealthy at the time. Beeswax was of course a product of limited availability and just as today that made it expensive. They were used in church services and aristocratic homes for many centuries and even today remain a popular candle.

Then came candles formed from whale oil, a type of candle I am personally glad is no longer popular. They looked and burnt very much like today’s products but also put off a very nasty aroma. They were available for everyone though due to the low costs of manufacturing. These candles were replaced with paraffin wax candles which are still used today. They burn pleasantly and with low smoke for hours on end. They are also cheap to manufacture making them readily available for all.

Today there are candles for decoration such as battery operated tea lights and candles for relaxation such as aroma therapy candles. If you have a need for a specific candle it is surely out there! As you can see they have evolved over the years into beautiful products and will most certainly continue to do so for generations to come.

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