History of candles

The history of candles dates back to 3000 BC in Egypt, when the Egyptians made torches from reeds dipped in animal fat to make the torches burn longer, and the torches did not have a wick like a real candle. Around 500 BC, the Romans began making true dipping candles from tallow, made by wrapping the stem of a papyrus plant around a long string and repeatedly soaking it in melted animal fat. 1

In China, candles appeared in the Han Dynasty, and the emperor often received candles as gifts, which can be seen that they are very precious. Early candles were moulded in paper tubes with wicks made from rolled rice paper and wax from whale fat or beeswax. Other ancient civilizations used locally available plant, insect, and animal fats to make their own candles.

In the Middle Ages, due to the disruption of trade after the fall of the Roman Empire, olive oil became a scarce commodity throughout Europe, and candles were widely produced and used. Early medieval European candles were mainly made from tallow or animal fat, but these candles gave off an unpleasant smell and smoked when burned. Unlike animal fat, beeswax burns more pure and does not produce smoke, and it also gives off a pleasant smell rather than the pungent smell of butter. So beeswax candles are much better than tallow candles, but they are very expensive, and few people except the rich can afford to burn them in their homes.

By the Tang Dynasty, the use of candles was relatively popular, the rich gentry often used candles for lighting, while the small families rarely used candles for lighting, they only spent money on the Lantern Festival or happy days.