Candles have been being used as far back as before the Middle Ages and were used not only for the visual appeal that is the reason for many of us using them today. It’s obvious that candles were once used to light the homes of our ancestors but candles were and still are used in a number of religious ceremonies as well. Many congregations still light candles at the beginning of their weekly sermons and couples often light candles at their wedding ceremonies as well. Candles are used by a number of religions to symbolize important happenings and individuals throughout history.
Initially the first candles were made from the fat collected from slaughtered animals but when the Middle Ages rolled around the beeswax candle was introduced and since then candles have been made from a large variety of materials. Candles today are made from materials such as soy, plant cells, coconut oil, palm oil, animal fat, and olive oil just to name a few. More and more materials are being experimented with in order to produce candles that are of a better quality, with better fragrance, and that are healthier for those individuals who use them. In the past some materials that have been used to make candles have been known to emit a not altogether pleasant smell and were not used for the fragrance aspect as they are used today.
Candles have long been available in a variety of shapes and sizes as well. Some of the more popular shapes of candles include the votive, the taper, and the pillar. Today, though, just as candles can come in almost any fragrance and color they can also come in all shapes and sizes. Candle making has become a form of art in which many artists express the joys of nature through the intricate designs and exotic scents of their candles. Whereas candles used to be handmade in the beginning of their use many today are made from machines but those that are made by hand in smaller specialty shops still posses that handmade quality that candles did for many years.
In ancient times candles were considered to be a luxury only enjoyed by those that were more well off. The high price that was once associated with candles may have to do with the handmade method of making them. Candles made years and years ago took a considerable amount of time and craftsmanship that is not quite as necessary today. Today wholesale candles can be mass produced within a matter of minutes and are available to almost anyone who wishes to indulge in them. What was once developed to provide light in the dark is now used to create an ambiance like no other. From the candles on the alter to a candlelit dinner to the birthday candles on a cake we find ourselves more and more enjoying candles. The delightful feel that a candle gives off has made them withstand the test of time more so than many other things created so long before our time and will likely continue to do so for many years to come.