The humble candle has been around for thousands of years. Interestingly the candle has been developed independently in many different countries over the world and have had a number of different uses in different cultures.
Because of the variety of different countries that have developed candles there are a number of different techniques that are used to make candles and finding the root of different designs and styles of candles is part of what makes the candle such an interesting topic. Early candles date back to Egyptian times where people made candles out of beeswax. There is evidence of these types of candles that dates back to 3000 BC.
The Chinese also have a long history of making candles and they used to use wax created from whale fat. This took place first in the Qin Dynasty around the time of 221 BC. Around these times they also began producing candles from wax that was taken from insects and seeds. These candles were wrapped in paper and produced light for inside people's homes. In India temple candles were created using a wax created from boiling cinnamon. And in the Pacific Northwest candles were made with wax fused with oil from the eulachon fish. This was taking place in the first century AD.
It is reported that long lasting candles were developed by the times of Anglo Saxons in the UK. It is said that Alfred the Great used a candle as a clock. The candle burnt for four hours and was used as a device to keep time. It was this theory that was adapted to create 24 hour candles that were used to measure a full day. The use of candles as clocks also took place in the Sung Dynasty in China.
Candles have always been extremely popular methods of delivering light and they have also been used in religious festivals and more recently in festivities. In the middle ages many festive occasions utilised candles. Some of the best known of these were Candlemas and the saint Lucy festival. Candles have a mystical appeal and have become extremely popular in a vast range of religious ceremonies. Candles are also often used as a symbol of life and in many religions candles are lit to commemorate the life of a person that has passed away. The candle can be a very poignant item in this context as can have an association with bereavement.
Aromatherapy candles on the other hand are used as both decorative items and also as items that encourage relaxation. As well as offering a source of light these candles also emit a scent which can add a pleasant and relaxing aroma to the environment in which it is lit. These candles are often used to enhance the atmosphere of a location and create a warm and tranquil space in which one can achieve a sense of peace. Aromatherapy candles play a large role in a number of different types of alternative therapy including massage therapy and Reiki.
These types of candles have been developed with a wick which is short enough to mean that the candle does not emit a smoke as well as a pleasant smell. These candles are also developed with additional safety features which are designed to prevent the risk of spreading fire.
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