Early candles originated from torches made of wax (beeswax) or fat and tied to wood chips such as bark and vines.
Beeswax candles developed from torches have been used in places with historical origins such as Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China since the 3rd and 4th centuries BC.
After that, there were various and individual developments in various parts of the world.
History of European Candles
In the early 9th century, candles made from animal fats were available in Europe.
When burning, beeswax, which emits a heavenly fragrance, is a very noble and luxurious item.
Therefore, it was only used when only the wealthy upper class, families, monasteries, ceremonies, etc. at that time.
Ordinary people usually mainly use candles made of easily available animal fats. Because the candles made of animal fat are cheap, the biggest bright spot is the price, but the disadvantages are also obvious, that is, it takes half an hour to cut the wick, and the smoke produced when burning is also very unpleasant!
History of Japanese Candles
Around the 6th century AD in the Nara period, with the introduction of Buddhism from China to Japan, Japan only had candles.
In the late Muromachi period (1336-1573), the method of making wooden candles was introduced.
In the Edo period (1603-1867), Japanese candles made of wild sumac began to be made. At that time, they made candles in various places and shipped them to Edo. However, because the wax of wild sumac is used, the production of candles is time-consuming, so the cost is very high, and it is a luxury that is difficult for ordinary people to buy.
The most prosperous period of wax production with wild sumac was the end of the Meiji period (1868-1911). At that time, the production process was very perfect, and the scope of use was gradually expanded!
In the second half of the 19th century, Japan began to mass-produce Western candles made of paraffin wax. Most of the candles currently popular in Japan still maintain the characteristics of paraffin wax!
American Candle History
In the American continent, the laurel fruit wax extracted from the fruit (laurel fruit) of the genus Arbutus wax (Arricaria serrata) is called a high-grade candle raw material.
Since the 17th century, hand-made laurel candles with fragrant and low fumes have been used as lighting tools. However, just in the 19th century, when refined oil lamps and natural gas lamps became popular, the use of candles began to decline. And, as a new material for candles, cheap paraffin from petroleum began to be supplied in large quantities.
British Candle History
In the 19th century, the discovery of paraffin wax marked a new era in candle making.
Paraffin candle making began in England in the 1850s. Since then, production in Europe and the United States has also begun. Slowly, candles originally made of various waxes began to be made of paraffin wax.
modern candle
Since the invention of the electric light, the night is no longer dim, it has begun to brighten up. Because of this, the candle's long-term mission has finally come to an end.
But now, the demand for candles is growing. It is not only used as lighting, but also used as a symbol of congratulatory occasions, an item that makes people feel comfortable, or as a decoration, and its uses and functions are becoming more and more extensive.
