Candle History 3

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Good Scents Candles richly scented handcrafted soy candles and natural soaps, soy lotions, and mineral bath salts

Candle History, cont.

Twentieth Century

With the spread of electric power for the basic lighting of our homes, the candle was no longer the prominent way to light our homes. The candle market contracted but did not die as there was still a demand for candles for churches, romantic dinners, home decor, celebrations, relaxation, and sheer enjoyment.

Candle manufacturing was enhanced during the first half of the 20th century through the growth of U.S. oil and meat packing industries. With the increase of crude oil and meat production, also came an increase in the by-products that are the basic ingredients of contemporary candles — paraffin and stearic acid.

The popularity of candles began to grow during the mid-1980s, when interest in candles as decorative items, mood-setters and gifts began to increase notably. Candles were suddenly available in a broad array of sizes, shapes and colors, and consumer interest in scented candles began to escalate.

The 1990s witnessed an unprecedented surge in the popularity of candles, and for the first time in more than a century, new types of candle waxes were being developed. In the U.S., agricultural chemists began to develop soybean wax, a softer and slower burning wax than paraffin. On the other side of the globe, efforts were underway to develop palm wax for use in candles. Gel wax, another petroleum derivative, also became available for candle production.

While many candles are still made in large factories, with the increased availability of vegetable waxes and gel waxes, cottage-style operations began to grow, making candles in their kitchen and selling those candles in gift shops, craft fairs, and on the internet. Candles are being made in all types of styles - container, votives, pillars, and other shapes such as pyramids, globes, square, and novelty types such as Christmas trees, bunny rabbits, turketys, and pumpkins.

The main types of candles seen on the market are:

CONTAINER CANDLES
A candle that is created from wax poured into a special glass, tan, and/or pottery. Container candles can be used decoratively and are typically highly fragranced.
VOTIVE CANDLES
Free standing candles that were originally produced as white and unscented and are typically lit for devotion or gratitude in religious ceremonies. Today the votive candles are available in a wide array of color and fragrances. Votive candles should be made intended to burn in an appropriate holder.
PILLAR CANDLES
A rigid, free standing candle that is available in a wide variety of shapes and designs.
TAPER CANDLES
A very slender candle that can range in height from 6” up to 20” and are used in an appropriate holder.
TEA-LIGHTS
A very small cylindrical candle that is in its own aluminum or polycarbonate holder.
NOVELTY CANDLES
Globe Candles, Faceted Candles, Spiral Candles, Pyramid Candles, Christmas Tree, Bunny Rabbit, Turkey, Pumpkins, and other shapes.

Candle Usage in Religion

Christianity

In Christianity, candles are commonly used in worship both as decoration as well as symbols representing the light of Christ. Candles are often placed on the altar. Votive candles may be lit as an accompaniment to prayer. Candles are lit by worshippers in front of icons in Catholic, Orthodox and other churches. In some churches, a special candle known as the Paschal candle specifically represents Christ, and is lit only at Easter and baptisms.

In some Christian denominations, the day of Candlemas marks the end of the season of Epiphany. On this day, the presiding priest blesses all the candles to be used in worship for the following year.

Candles were traditionally used to light up Christmas trees before the advent of electric lights. They are still, even today, commonly used to decorate Christmas trees in Denmark and other European countries. They are also used in Advent wreaths.

In Sweden (and other Scandinavian countries), St. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13 with the crowning of a young girl with a ring of candles.