Candle

A candle is a light source usually consisting of an internal wick which rises through the center of a column of solid fuel. Typically the fuel is some form of wax with paraffin wax being the most common.

Usage

Prior to the domestication of electricity, candles were a common source of lighting, before, and later in addition to, the oil lamp. Due to local availability and the cost of resources, for several centuries up to the 19th century candles were more common in northern Europe, and olive oil lamps more common in southern Europe and around the Mediterranean Sea. Makers of candles were known as chandlers.

Related Topics:
Electricity - Oil lamp - 19th century - Europe - Olive oil - Mediterranean Sea - Chandler

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Today, candles are usually used for their aesthetic value, particularly to set a soft, warm, or romantic ambience, and for emergency lighting during electrical power failures. Scented candles are common in aromatherapy. Small candles are often placed on birthday cakes.

Related Topics:
Power failure - Scent - Aromatherapy - Birthday cake

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Religion

Candles are used in religious ceremonies.

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Buddhism

See Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival

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Christianity

In Christianity, they typically represent the light of Jesus, and 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 Orthodox and other churches. See also Paschal candle and Dikiri and trikiri.

Related Topics:
Christianity - Jesus - Altar - Votive candle - Prayer - Worship - Icon - Orthodox - Paschal candle - Dikiri and trikiri

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Candlemas marks the end of the season of Epiphany.

Related Topics:
Candlemas - Epiphany

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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.

Related Topics:
Christmas tree - Denmark - Advent wreath

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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.

Related Topics:
Sweden - Scandinavia - St. Lucia Day - December 13 - Crown

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Judaism

In Judaism, candles are traditionally lit on Friday evening at the start of the weekly Sabbath celebration. The Jewish holiday of Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by lighting a candle in a special candelabrum (menorah) each night during the eight-day holiday to commemorate the dedication of the altar in the Temple in Jerusalem. Candles are also used in remembering a deceased loved one, especially on Yom HaShoah, The Day of the Holocaust.

Related Topics:
Judaism - Sabbath - Jew - Holiday - Chanukah - Menorah - Temple in Jerusalem

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Kwanzaa

Candles are also used in celebrations of Kwanzaa, which is an African American holiday which runs from December 26 to January 1.

Related Topics:
Kwanzaa - African American - Holiday - December 26 - January 1

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Humanism

For Humanists, skeptics, and nontheists (and particularly secular humanists), candles have become a symbol of the light of reason or rationality. This association was inspired by Carl Sagan, who subtitled his 1997 book The Demon-Haunted World with Science as a Candle in the Dark. The Humanist festival of HumanLight often features a candle-lighting ceremony.

Related Topics:
Humanists - Skeptics - Nontheists - Secular humanists - Reason - Rationality - Carl Sagan - The Demon-Haunted World - Humanist - HumanLight

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Wicca

In Wicca and related forms of Neopaganism, candles are frequently used on the altar to represent the presence of the God and Goddess, and in the four corners of a ritual circle to represent the presence of the four elements. When used in this manner, lighting and extinguishing the candles marks the opening and closing of the ritual. Candles are also frequently used by Wiccans and other Neopagans for magical and meditative purposes.

Related Topics:
Wicca - Neopaganism - Magical

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Measurement

With the fairly consistent and measurable burning of a candle a common use was to tell the time, though the accuracy is debatable. Some candles have these measurements, usually in hours, marked along the wax.

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In the days leading to Christmas some people burn a set amount to represent each day, as marked on the candle. Candles used in this way are called Advent candles.

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