Candles: Sparking a Trend And Igniting Vibrations

For almost 5,000 years, candles have played a big role in the history of humanity. From the discovering of wax to the usage of candles in religious ceremonies, they have been present in the daily life of humankind, constantly changing it’s functionality simultaneously with the advances of technology.

Stop for a second and think about it: how essential were candles before the advances of technology? Before electricity? When the only choice at night was complete darkness? The discovering of fire and the ability to control it changed the path of humanity, making candles the first crucial object to civilization since the ancient times.

The name “Candle” comes from the Latin “Candere”, meaning “to shine”. It is hard to be completely sure of the exact date and origin of the first candle, but it is known that candles were developed independently in many countries throughout the years. (Sherrod) However, it is often believed that the first attempt to make candles was developed by the Ancient Romans, by using torches made by soaking the condensed core of animal’s fat, beeswax or by burning papyrus rolled and dipped in grease.

Romans are generally credited with the development of the first candles, being the first ones to think of a way of lighting their homes, assist travelers at night and celebrate the presence of God in religious ceremonies. Yet, historians have found evidence that many other civilizations developed candles using wax during the early years. (NCA) Early Chinese candles were molded in paper tubes while in Japan, candles were made of wax extracted from tree nuts. In India, a different approach was used: wax was made by boiling the fruit of cinnamon trees.

The meaning and functionality of candles have changed through out the years and even though candles are an important object in today’s society, during those ancient times they played a major role as the only and main source of light. Additionally, it is known that candles also were, and still are, an essential component in a variety of religious ceremonies. Many religions believe that candles represent the presence of God, and that they should be associated with veneration and respect. The presence of candles in various religions, each practicing it’s own rituals, states that candles are universal objects, appreciated and respected by diverse cultures, nationalities and races.

There are several Biblical references to candles and the Emperor Constantine is reported to have called for the use of candles during Easter back in the 4th century. (NCA) Candles are often used as a sign of festivity and respect in Christian’s rituals, such as baptisms, weddings, funerals as well as spiritual decoration in cathedrals and celebratory decorations during holidays such as Christmas and Halloween. Christians believe that candles should be placed on altars to signify that Christ is the very true light of the world. (Sherrod)

The Jewish Festival of Lights, also known as Hanukkah, also centers on the lighting of candles. During Hanukkah, one candle is added to the menorah each night. The first night, you light only the shamus (the one at a different height) and one Chanukkah candle. By the eighth night, you light all of the candles, from right to left. (Judaism 101) The purpose of the candles in the ceremony is to walk you through a process: you encounter experiences, one at a time, as you light different candles. The order is always fixed, and the experience is always cumulative. Each candle lighting represents a blessing and a prayer, and has the purpose of bringing the religious experience of Hanukkah alive.

A different approach to the religious importance of candles would be the idea of votive candles: the practice of lighting a candle before a statue or image of a saint, with the intentions of honoring what that image represents. The light signifies the offered prayer coming into the light of God, and along with that prayer, the belief that the light represents the desire to always remain present. (Saunders) And even though we may depart and go about our daily business, that light will keep burning, representing our wishes and expectations. The symbolism of this practice is a reminder that our soul will be filled with light even though that light might burn out when we return to our regular activities.

Despite of the religious importance and the role of candles as the main source of light for humans in the past, the 20th century was a game changer for the meaning and functionality of candles. With the advances of technology and the presence of electricity and gas, candles began to act as a back up plan in matters of energy and power. Instead, they started to act as decorative items and mood-setters, starting a new trend. The considerable raise in candle consumption was a result of the creation of a new trend and new movement, causing candles to loose their original meaning and build a new function: to create a different atmosphere and arouse our senses.

Candles were now available in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and scents, changing completely it’s original form, function and meaning. Candles were now round, cylindrical, egg shaped, squared and their packing also played a different role: the creation of a more attractive packaging, transparent or multicolored, allowed the product to be seen and interpreted differently by the consumer. By commercializing these products, the candle industry knowingly contributed to spread out the candle consumption all year round. (AECM) Candles slowly started to make a statement, becoming a symbol of relaxation, good vibrations and modernism.

Leaving behind the role of mankind’s major source of light, candles began to grow in popularity, symbolizing not only celebration, but romance, good energy and relaxation. With the production of scented candles, people realized that candles were able to soothe the senses and change the environment completely, arousing three of the five human senses and materializing a lot of simple but basic pleasures in life. Candles suddenly became peaceful and relaxing objects, responsible for a drastic change in whatever environment they were found. Finally, candles were now seen as discrete though always noticed objects, bringing an additional soul to the interior.

Candles can be related to three of the five human senses: sight, smell and touch. They are major players in multi sensory environment, arousing our senses while strengthening hospitality and setting the right mood for almost every occasion. Candles are now always related to comfortable atmospheres, meditation, and relaxing environments in general. The arouse of sight when burning a candle comes from the relation to fire and the combination of colors when burning matter. In the history of humanity, fire has always symbolized power, transformation and passion, as well as vivacious vitality and constant change.

From the five senses, smell is the strongest one aroused by candles. That was also one of the biggest changes in the production of candles: before, the smell of burned wax and paraffin was not pleasant, but with the development of the market, most candles started to be produced with specific smells that when burned, released an specific scent, causing the sensation of tranquility. The last sense aroused by candles is touch, since paraffin is a material that provides a very unique sensation when touched. It melts easily but also dries easily, again relating to the feeling of playing with fire. Paraffin is a very malleable material that can be shaped in different formats and sizes and also mixed with different colors, making it even easier to produce candles of different kinds.

With the popularity of candles, the industry started to take advantage of the trend by creating a variety of shaped and colored candles that were well accepted by the public. Colored candles started to make their place into the market thanks to special pigment colors, which can become as fixed to the light as white candles. Most of the time, the pigments and dyes are applied on the exterior of the candle by the method of dripping. (AECM) Colored candles can be re-dipped in color, and must not have a negative effect on the quality of the burning. Some people believe that specific colored candles can represent and attract different vibrations and energies such as black being used in rituals to induce a deep meditational state or ward off negativity, blue to obtain wisdom, harmony and inner peace and green to promote prosperity, fertility and success. Warm colors such as pink, red and peach are used to represent emotions from the heart and raise high energies.

An important addition to the usage of candles is the creation of candle holders, objects that can also be produced in different shapes and colors, most times made of glass or metal, with the intention of holding the candle still. The appearance of candle holders was the final touch to settle the transition of candles from source of light to valuable decoration. The production of candle holders of all kinds added another nice touch to the consumption of candles: different candle holders would create different reflections when holding a candle, also creating a different mood in the ambient. Candles and candle holders began to be an essential touch in parties and in the every day life, and also initiated a whole scene of arts & crafts dedicated exclusively to the making and decorating of candles, all year round. Candles were finally appreciated at any time of the year, instead of only during holidays or celebrations.

Throughout the years, the popularity of candles only grew, and the relation of candles with different energies and mood only became stronger. Some people believe in blessing their candles and even burning the candles on specific days of the week and during different phases of the moon.

Nowadays, candles have a lot to do with the energy they will attract and are indeed able of completely changing the atmosphere of a place as well as the mood of a person. Personally, I am a big believer and fan of the idea, and even power, of candles. I see candles as a way to decorate, change and harmonize an environment, but also as a crucial element in meditation, visualization and rituals of all kinds.

Because of my horoscope sign (Leo) I have always been very attracted and intrigued by fire, which has been associated since the ancient times with the profound transformation and renewal of all living things. It is believed that people born under the astrological signs of fire are thought to not only have fire driven personalities but also a very intense and intimate relation with the element.

I believe candles are one of the only objects that include fire that we are able to have some sort of control and that’s one of the reasons why they are so intriguing and fascinating. In many cultures, fire has been used as a metaphor of evolution and is the strongest element of nature.

Candles can indeed be magical vehicles that facilitate the smooth flow of energy and great transformation in our lives, always able to drastically change an environment and arouse different senses and small pleasures in life. Personally, I feel that different candles vibrate at different frequencies and most definitely, they will always have something to add to their surrounding.

Bibliography:

“History — National Candle Association.” NCA — National Candle Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.

“Judaism 101: Chanukkah Candle Lighting Blessings.” Judaism 101. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.

Saunders, William. “The History of Votive Candles.” The History of Votive Candles. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2015

Sherrod, May. “Welcome to the National Altar Guild Association.” National Altar Guild Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.

“The Symbolism,Customs and Use of Candles.” AECM — Association European Candle Makers. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.