About Candles/ History of Candles

Before the advent of electricity, candles and oil lamps were used for illumination.

 

Today, candles are used mainly for their aesthetic value and scent, particularly to set a soft, warm, or romantic ambiance, Scented candle are used in aromatherapy and as home fragrance.

 

According to National Candle Association, U.S.A:

 

Nine out of ten candle users say they use candles to make a room feel comfortable or cozy.

 

Candle users say they most frequently burn candles in the living room (42%), followed by the kitchen (18%) and the bedroom (13%).

 

As a result of survey by both men and women consider candles to be an always-acceptable and highly appreciated gift for a wide variety of occasions.

 

Candle purchasers say they view candles as an appropriate gift for the holidays (76%), as a house warming gift (74%), a hostess/dinner party gift (66%), a thank you (61%) and as adult birthday gifts (58%).

 

 

History of candles

 

Candles have been used for light and to illuminate man's celebrations for more than 5,000 years, yet little is known about their origin.

It is often written that the first candles were developed by the Ancient Egyptians, who used rush lights or torches made by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat.

 

In Rome, around the first century, candles were made out of tallow and the pith of rushes. The Latin word "candere" means to flicker. The Egyptians and Cretans made the candle from beeswax, as early as 3000 BC. The early candle was made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. In the 18th century, spermaceti, oil produced by the sperm whale, was used to produce a superior candle.

Late in the 18th century, colza oil and rapeseed oil came into use as much cheaper substitutes. Paraffin was first distilled in 1830, and revolutionized candle-making, as it was an inexpensive material which produced a high-quality, odorless candle that burned reasonably cleanly.