From the flicker of an ancient flame to the scented elegance adorning modern homes, the story of the candle is one of transformation and timelessness. Candles have illuminated our darkest hours, graced our celebrations, and become symbols of hope and comfort.
Ancient Beginnings: The First Flames
The origins of candle making date back to ancient civilizations. The Romans are often celebrated for their early candles, crafted by dipping rolled papyrus in tallow or beeswax. These candles brought light to homes, guided journeys, and illuminated sacred rituals.
But the Romans were not the sole pioneers. In ancient Egypt, as far back as 3000 B.C., candles were crafted with reeds soaked in animal fat. The Chinese, around the same period, utilized rice paper wicks and wax derived from insects and seeds, while the Japanese turned to tree nuts for their candle wax. In India, wax was produced by boiling the fruit of cinnamon trees.
Candles also played a significant role in spiritual practices. The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, which began in 165 B.C., highlights the candle’s spiritual significance, a tradition that endures to this day.
Medieval Advancements: A Glowing Renaissance
As history progressed, candle making saw notable advancements. In medieval Europe, beeswax candles emerged as a superior alternative to tallow candles, offering a clean, pleasant burn. However, due to their cost, beeswax candles were primarily used in religious settings and by the affluent.
By the 13th century, candle making had established itself as a skilled trade in France and England, with chandlers traveling to homes to craft candles from household fats. In colonial America, resourceful women discovered that boiling bayberries produced a sweet-smelling, clean-burning wax, adding a new dimension to the craft.
Industrial Innovations: Transforming the Craft
The 18th century heralded significant changes with the whaling industry providing spermaceti, a wax obtained from sperm whale oil, which offered a brighter, cleaner burn than tallow. The 19th century brought further innovations, such as French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul’s method of extracting stearic acid from animal fats, resulting in durable, clean-burning candles.
Joseph Morgan’s invention of a mechanized candle mold in 1834 revolutionized production, making candles more accessible. The introduction of affordable paraffin wax in the 1850s further democratized candle making, allowing more people to enjoy its benefits. Despite the rise of electric lighting, candles found a renewed purpose in the 20th century as decorative and aromatic items.
Contemporary Elegance: The Candle Today
The latter half of the 20th century saw candles evolve into objects of beauty and fragrance. In the 1980s, the market expanded with candles available in diverse shapes, colors, and scents, transforming them into essential elements of home décor.
Today, candles are cherished for their ability to create ambiance, offer comfort, and bring a sense of tranquility. Lighting a candle can transform a moment, infusing it with warmth and serenity.
Today, candles are cherished for their ability to create ambiance, offer comfort, and bring a sense of tranquility. Lighting a candle can transform a moment, infusing it with warmth and serenity.
In the flicker of a candle's flame, we see a connection to our past and a beacon for the future. The history of candle making is a testament to human ingenuity and our enduring desire to bring light into darkness, both literally and metaphorically. At Lucette+Mo, we honor this timeless tradition, infusing each of our creations with the same care and sentimentality that has defined candle making through the ages.
