Candles and candle holders have always mesmerized the mankind and this association traces back its origin back to the Ancient Egyptians. With changing times, many pages were added to the history of candles and candle holders. Let us revisit the history of candles to access everything that played its part in this interesting history.

Before we read about candle holders, let us read about the history of candles so that all of us are on the same knowledge platform.

History of Candles

It is believed that this history of candles is as old as the time when man discovered how to use fire to cook. This was, probably, the time when man noticed that the fat dripping onto the fire, the flame gets brighter. The ever-curious man then would have probably used animal fat for lighting his dwelling. These assumptions came from the fact that the first 'candles' known to the mankind were nothing more than flaming lumps of animal fat and candle remains were found in excavations in Egypt and Greece and tracing back to the 3000 B.C. The Egyptians and Cretans (residents of one of the 13 peripheries of Greece) made candles from beeswax during period.

One of the other substances that was used to create candles during the ancient era was Tallow, which is the solid fat extracted from animals such as sheep.

The first clear evidence in context to the history of candles was not until the emergence of the Roman Empire; the Romans made use of candles for lighting, facilitating night travel, and for religious practiced. The Romans used to heat the tallow until was liquefied. After this process, the tallow was poured over a wick material, which was generally made from the pith of rushes and suspended from a horizontal rod. It was then the time for the candle maker, also known as chandler, to use the hands for smoothing the cooling tallow. A trough was placed underneath the suspended candles to catch the excess and was then restored to the melting pot.

In the 18th century, oil produced by the sperm whale (spermaceti), gained popularity for producing superior candles. In the late 18th century, cheaper substitutes for spermaceti such as colza oil and rapeseed oil were used to produce candles. Then, came paraffin in 1830 that emerged as a high-quality yet cheap and odorless material for producing candles. With changing times, there were developments in the world of candle history and the latest revelation is resin based candles that are oil-based, scented, and considered to burn longer than traditional paraffin candles.

The biggest change in candle making is attributed to Joseph Morgan as he invented a machine in 1834 that allowed large-scale candle production with use of a cylinder that included a movable piston capable of ejecting candles as soon as they were solidified. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, candles were used for varying purposes from celebration to romance, and from décor to mourning, and from signs of peace to signs of togetherness, in addition of being used for lighting and religious practices.

Now that we have read about the history of candles, let us now move our focus to some popular facts related with candles.

Some facts about Candles

1. A candle, generally, includes of wax and a wick and some candles include dyes or pigments for color, fragrance, and scent.

    

2. Candles are best stored in a dark, cool, and dry place and in a flat position with an aim to prevent warping.

    

3. Chandler is the name given to a traditional candle manufacturer.

    

4. A single candle, typically, produces about 40 watts of heat and 13 lumens of visible light.

    

5. Candles made up of beeswax burn more cleanly than ones made up of petroleum-based paraffin waxes.

    

6. A single candle, typically, burns at a rate of approximately 0.1 g per minute to release nearly 77 W of heat.

    

7. Hottest part of the candle's flame is just about the very dull blue portion to one flame side at the base, with a temperature of nearly 1,400°C.

    

Now that we have accessed some facts about candles, let us move our focus to candles and their associations with religions of the world.

Candles and Religion

Candles have been used by people all over the world for their aesthetic value and scent, besides illumination. Let us read about the significance of candles for different religions of the world.

Christianity - Candles are used in worship, both for ambience and decoration and are considered as symbols representing the light of God or light of Christ. In Roman Catholic churches, liturgical candles must be made of a minimum of 51 percent of beeswax and the remaining percentage can come from other sources such as paraffin. The offered tapers in orthodox churches should be 100 percent of beeswax unless restricted by poverty. Paschal candles, representing the Resurrected Christ, are lit only at funerals, Easter, and baptisms.

Buddhism - Candles are used for ritual observances by followers of Buddhism and are placed before shrines or images of Lord Buddha as a mark of respect.

Judaism - A pair of candles are lit on the Friday evening before start of the weekly Sabbath celebrations.

Sikhism - The festival of light, Diwali, is celebrated with candles by the Sikh community.

Hinduism - Candles are used almost in every social rite of the Hindus and are considered as a source of enlightenment.

Now that we all are on the same knowledge platform, let us move our focus to candle holders.

USES OF Candle Holders

When it comes to home decoration or home improvement, use of candles with various style statements can surely an aesthetic appeal to your home. In this context, you can make use of candle holders to create a serene atmosphere at the home. You can try different candle holders such as the wrought iron candle holders, brass candle holders, fireplace candle holders, tea light candle holders, and even lamp candle holders. After all, creativity has no limits when it comes to candle holders and the best part is that you can make use of these candle holders for every special occasion and keep them at almost every part of the home.

If you want to celebrate the announcement of love or celebrating your love anniversary, you can even have a candlelight dinner at home or keep candles at different places of the home using the candle holders to add to the occasion.

Buy Candle Holders

Before you buy candle holders, it is important for you to consider some things.

Candlesticks are decorative candle holders that are usually shaped as a pedestal while candelabrum is a candle holder where multiple candle tapers are held. If you want to buy tea light candle holders, you can select from a variety of candle holders that may include small glass holders and elaborate multi candle stands. If you want to opt for a pillar style candle, you can try out a fireproof plate such as glass plate or a pedestal with a matching fire proof top or a large bowl with a large flat bottom, tall vertical curved sides (hurricane).

When it comes to buying candle holders, it is important for you to select the right material. Options are endless - from metal candle holders to glass candle holders, and from wood candle holders to medieval antique candle holders. Once you are clear with the type of candle holder, it is time to buy candle holders and you can purchase them from traditional or online candle sellers

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We hope that this information on candles and candle holders was useful to you in more than just a way.