History of candle development

Ancient candles

Origin: The earliest candles can be traced back to around 3000 BC, when the ancient Egyptians used reeds soaked in animal fat to make simple candles.

Ancient Rome: The ancient Romans made candles with beeswax, mainly for religious ceremonies and aristocratic life.

Ancient China: China began to use candles in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), and they were made of beeswax or insect wax in the early days.

Middle Ages

Candles became an important lighting tool in medieval Europe, especially in churches and aristocratic families.

Beeswax candles were highly regarded for their clean burning and bright flames, but they were expensive, and ordinary people used candles made of animal fat.

Industrial Revolution

At the end of the 18th century, with the discovery of paraffin (extracted from petroleum), candle production entered the industrial stage.

Paraffin candles are low-cost and stable in burning, and quickly replaced traditional animal fat candles.

Modern development

After the 20th century, the popularity of electric lights shifted the main use of candles from lighting to decoration, aromatherapy and religious ceremonies.

In recent years, the rise of environmentally friendly materials (such as soy wax and palm wax) and scented candles has driven innovation in the candle industry.