The History of Candles: From Ancient Rituals to Modern Home Décor

January 20, 2025

🕯 The History of Candles: From Ancient Rituals to Modern Home Décor

Candles have been with us for thousands of years, evolving from a simple light source into an essential piece of home décor and self-care. Today, we burn candles to create ambiance, add fragrance, or decorate our homes — but their story stretches back to ancient civilizations where they carried religious, practical, and symbolic meaning.

In this article, we’ll explore the history of candles — from their earliest uses in ancient rituals to the beautiful soy and 3-wick candles that now define modern living spaces.

🌍 The Origins of Candle Making

Historians believe that candles date back at least 5,000 years. Early forms weren’t the smooth jars we know today but rather torches made from reeds or rushes dipped in fat or tallow.

Ancient Egypt: Egyptians used “rushlights” — reeds soaked in animal fat — around 3000 BCE. These provided light but lacked the steady flame of a true candle.
Ancient Rome: The Romans are credited with developing the first recognizable candles, made by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow or beeswax. These candles illuminated homes, guided travelers at night, and were burned in religious ceremonies to honor their gods.
China & India: Around the same time, Chinese candle makers used whale fat, while in India, candles were crafted from boiled cinnamon oil, giving them a fragrant quality thousands of years before scented candles became mainstream.

✝️ Candles in Religious and Cultural Rituals

Candles have always symbolized more than light. In many traditions, they represented purity, hope, and spiritual presence.

Christianity: By the Middle Ages, candles were a central part of Christian rituals, from church services to processions. Beeswax candles were especially prized because they burned cleaner and symbolized purity.
Judaism: The Hanukkah menorah tradition dates back over 2,000 years, with candles symbolizing miracles and resilience.
Pagan & Ancient Rituals: In pagan practices, candles were used in ceremonies to ward off darkness, celebrate seasonal changes, or honor the dead.

The enduring use of candles in spiritual and cultural contexts shows just how powerful a symbol a simple flame can be.

🏰 Medieval and Early European Candle Making

During the Middle Ages in Europe, candle making (called chandlery) became a recognized craft. Chandlers worked in towns producing candles for households, churches, and guild halls.

Tallow Candles: Most people used tallow candles made from animal fat. These were inexpensive but smoky, with a harsh smell.
Beeswax Candles: Reserved for churches, royalty, and the wealthy, beeswax candles burned cleaner and released a naturally sweet scent. Their high cost made them a status symbol as much as a source of light.

This era cemented candles as both a practical necessity and a marker of class and wealth.

🇺🇸 Candles in Colonial America

In Colonial America, candles were a household essential. Families often made their own by boiling animal fat or using bayberry wax, which burned clean and fragrant. However, extracting bayberry wax was labor-intensive — it took 15 pounds of berries to make just one pound of wax.

By the 18th century, the whaling industry introduced spermaceti candles, made from oil found in sperm whales. These candles were firm, odorless, and burned brighter than both tallow and beeswax. They quickly became popular in American homes until the rise of new lighting technologies.

💡 The Decline of Candles as a Light Source

The 19th century brought major innovations that reduced the candle’s role as a primary light source.

Gas lamps began illuminating streets and cities.
Kerosene lamps provided longer-lasting light for homes.
By the late 1800s, Thomas Edison’s invention of the electric light bulb marked the biggest shift — candles were no longer essential for illumination.

Instead of fading into obscurity, candles reinvented themselves. Their value shifted from necessity to atmosphere.

🌸 The Rise of Scented & Decorative Candles

In the 20th century, candles entered a renaissance. Paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum, became widely available and affordable, fueling the mass production of decorative and scented candles.

The mid-1900s saw candles sold not only for light but as home accents and gifts. By the 1980s and 1990s, scented candles were exploding in popularity, with brands experimenting in fragrances ranging from lavender and vanilla to pumpkin spice and holiday blends.

This was also when the candle became a symbol of self-care and relaxation — lit during baths, meditation, or quiet evenings at home.

🏡 Modern Candle Trends: Décor, Wellness, and Sustainability

Today, candles are a $6+ billion global industry, shaped by trends in wellness and interior design. Consumers don’t buy candles because they need light — they buy them because they want ambiance, luxury, and comfort.

Key Modern Trends:

Home Décor: Candles are styled as centerpiece items, often in elegant jars, minimalist tins, or oversized statement pieces like 3-wick and XL candles.
Wellness & Self-Care: Aromatherapy candles using essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, sage) promise stress relief and mood enhancement.
Eco-Conscious Buyers: Soy, coconut, and beeswax candles are now preferred over paraffin, with many consumers prioritizing sustainable and clean-burning wax.
Luxury at Accessible Prices: Independent brands (like Affinati) compete with luxury houses such as Diptyque and Jo Malone by offering high-end fragrance experiences under $50.

🔮 The Future of Candles

Looking ahead, candles will continue to balance tradition and innovation. While their flame connects us to centuries of ritual, their designs, fragrances, and materials reflect modern lifestyles. Expect more:

Eco-friendly packaging and refillable jars.
Multi-wick and XL formats that combine décor with function.
Unique fragrance blends (saffron cedarwood, cocoa butter cashmere) that move beyond simple vanilla or floral scents.

Candles are no longer just “something you light.” They are lifestyle statements — a way to express personal taste, create comfort, and connect with centuries of human history.

🏁 Conclusion

The history of candles is as fascinating as the soft glow they provide. From ancient rituals in Egypt and Rome, to chandlers in medieval Europe, to colonial households in America, candles have always symbolized light, comfort, and tradition.

Today, they thrive as modern décor and self-care essentials, with soy and 3-wick designs redefining how we bring fragrance and warmth into our homes.

So the next time you light a candle — whether it’s Christmas Cookie, Cocoa Butter Cashmere, or Saffron Cedarwood — remember: you’re participating in a ritual that spans thousands of years, blending ancient history with modern living.

1. Why Soy Candles Are Better for Your Health (and Your Home)

2. How to Make Your Candle Burn Evenly Every Time

3. Best Candles for Men - Rich, Bold, and Masculine Scents You'll Love

Back to blog