Candles are synonymous to relaxation, joy and luxury. But have you ever wondered when candles were born? Scented candles are ancient, they date back to thousands years from now. In ancient civilizations candles were used as a light source. They played an important role for different cultures, in ceremonies and in spiritual worship. 

Throughout the years, just like humans became advanced, candles also evolved. From being a light source to a piece of luxury and aesthetic. Throughout all the transformations scented candles went through, their purpose remained the same – to bring light into darkness.  Let’s take a trip back in time to explore how these creative little lights came into being. 

The Birth of Candles

The use of candles dates back to ancient times, with the evidence proving that the Egyptians first used candles around 3000 BC. The early versions of candles produced there were smoky and produced unpleasant odors. They were made from rushes soaked in animal fat or vegetable wax. Moreover, the use of tallow (animal fat) became widespread but it was unpleasant too.

Around the same time the ancient Japanese and Chinese were also producing wicked candles using different raw materials. The Chinese used rice papers as wicks and wax from insects and seeds to create candles. While the Japanese used tree nuts for wax. Moreover, Indians boiled the fruit of the cinnamon tree for the wax. 

Candles have also been part of different religious rituals throughout history. For instance, Jewish Festival of Lights (Hanukkah) began in 165 B.C. and they included candles ever since then. Now, let’s see how scented candles developed from ancient times to modern luxury. 

Evolution of Scented Candles Throughout History

The Romans played an important role in the development of luxury scented candles. They first used tallow as the wax for their candles and then started using beeswax, as their empire expanded. They not only created candles from other raw materials but also infused the candles with imported exotic fragrances like cinnamon and myrrh. This change turned their homes into aromatic quarters. 

Romans even brought these candles with them to other parts of Europe. Beeswax candles were introduced in Europe during the Middle Ages, providing cleaner burn and pleasant smelling candles. They were quite expensive, so their use was limited to the rich or to religious ceremonies.

When the 13th Century arrived, fragrant candles became quite popular. They had become a guild craft in France and England. Candlemakers were known as chandlers who traveled from home to home, and made candles from kitchen fats. In colonial America, women led an innovation and produced very sweet smelling wax from bayberries. 

The whaling industry thrived during the 18th century, where a significant change occurred. The candles were then produced using Spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil. It became readily available and it was a less repugnant alternative to tallow. However, the 19th century actually led to the advancements that eventually gave birth to the modern scented candles. 

Modern Era of Scented Candles

A French chemist named Michael Eugene Chevreul developed a process of extracting stearic wax from animal fatty acids, during the 1820s. Stearic wax was hard and durable, but it produced a cleaner burn, more pleasant scent than tallow. Another inventore, Joseph Morgan, created a device that mechanized molded candles in 1834. With these amazing evolutions in technology, good smelling candles were then started to mass produce using paraffin wax in the 1850s. Paraffin wax was affordable, so everyone could enjoy a scented candle in their home. 

Then, electricity was produced, and the production and the use of candles was very rare. Most people started using electricity for the source of light. During the 20th century, candles intrigued people again, gaining popularity, when oil and meat industries were established in the U.S. It increased the availability of paraffin and stearic acid. During the 1980s, candles became an aesthetic addition to people’s homes and their demand began to escalate. The scented candles then surged with different sizes, shapes and colors, adding beauty and providing relaxation. 

Environmental impact of paraffin and stearic acid raised concerns, which led the chemists to use more sustainable waxes like soybean wax. Soy wax is made from soybean that is a renewable resource, biodegradable and free from harsh chemicals. It produces very little soot, burns cleaner than traditional waxes and produces more pleasant scents and less toxic chemicals in air. 

Save the environment and buy candles from stores that produce candles made with sustainable materials. CandleWicksStore produces candles of different shapes, sizes, colors and scents, all made from soy wax. You can adorn these best scented candles in your home and enjoy a luxury feel while contributing to the environment. 

Conclusion

From ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Japanese times, candles have evolved to modern luxury. They were a symbol of power in Roman, a religious necessity and now they are a form of relaxation and warmth. Scented candles hold therapeutic properties, which eases your muscles and soothes your soul. So, when you light up a candle, you are partaking in the tradition that spans millennia, and bringing a touch of history into your homes. 

An online store, known as CandleWicksStore uses soy wax to produce beautiful, aesthetically pleasing and best fragrant candles. You can enjoy a warm aromatic environment in your home without any toxic chemicals freely circulating in your air.