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A candle is a source of light, and sometimes a source of heat, consisting of a solid block of fuel (commonly wax) and an embedded wick.





As the mass of solid fuel is melted and consumed, the candle grows shorter. Portions of the wick that are not evaporating the liquid fuel are consumed in the flame. The incineration of the wick limits the exposed length of the wick, thus maintaining a constant burning temperature and rate of fuel consumption. Some wicks require regular trimming with scissors (or a specialized wick trimmer), usually to about one-quarter inch (~.7 cm), to promote slower, steady burning, and also to prevent smoking.

Fuel and candle holders

The candle can be made of paraffin (a byproduct of petroleum refining), stearin (now produced almost exclusively from palm waxes), beeswax (a byproduct of honey collection), gel (a mixture of resin and mineral oil), some plant waxes (generally palm, carnauba, bayberry, or soy), or tallow (rarely used since the introduction of affordable and cheap wax alternatives). The candle is produced in various colors, shapes, sizes and scents. The size of the flame and corresponding rate of burning is controlled largely by the candle wick.



It is commonly believed that candles made of beeswax burn more cleanly than petroleum-based paraffin waxes. Highly-refined paraffin wax, however, can burn as or more cleanly than natural waxes, creating less particulates during combustion. The type of wick and inclusion of any scents and/or dyes have a much greater impact on the release of compounds, particulates, and smoke, regardless of the base material. The cleanest burning candle will be well-constructed, unscented, undyed, and burn in a draft-free area. A candle will burn well when formulated waxes are blended together (soy, paraffin and other waxes), and fragrance oils and wick selections are balanced properly.

A smoke film can be a concern to those who frequently burn a candle indoors and is also referred to as ghosting, carbon tracking, or carbon tracing. Smoke can be produced when a candle does not burn the wax fuel completely. A scented candle can be a source of candle smoke deposits. Trimming candle wicks to about 6 millimeters (¼ in) or shorter will keep smoking to a minimum. A flickering flame will produce more smoke, therefore a candle should be burned in an area free from drafts.

Differing opinions about which kind of wax in a candle is "natural." Proponents of the soy wax candle will note the material is biodegradable and "all natural." However, most soy beans used in the manufacture of soy wax are genetically modified. Paraffin wax, as used in candle making, is also biodegradable. It also often meets the United States Food and Drug Administration criteria for use in foods and food contact. It has also been claimed that natural waxes have a neutral carbon footprint as carbon dioxide was recently taken from the air to produce the natural wax, which upon burning would not result in a net increase in carbon dioxide.

Technical characteristics

A modern candle typically burns at a rate of about 0.105 g/min, releasing heat of about 77 W, plus or minus about 9 W [1]. The light produced is about 13 lumens. The luminous efficacy is about 0.17 lumens per watt (luminous efficacy of a source), a hundred times lower than an incandescent light bulb. The color temperature is approximately 1,000K.


The flicker frequency of a flame is proportional to the square root of the ratio of the acceleration due to gravity to the diameter of the candle. A candle on the moon would flicker at a different frequency than on Earth and wouldn't flicker at all in the absence of a gravitational force (like on a space platform).[3]


According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles are one of the leading sources of residential fires with almost 10% of civilian injuries and 6 % of civilian fatalities attributed to candles.[4]

A candle flame that is longer than its laminar smoke point [5] will emit soot. Soot inhalation has known health hazards. Proper wick trimming will prevent soot emissions from most candles.




Candle holders




In Rome, around the first century, candles were made out of tallow and the pith of rushes. The Latin word candere means to flicker. The Egyptians and Cretans made the candle from beeswax, as early as 3000 BC.[6] The early candle was made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. In the 18th century, spermaceti, oil produced by the sperm whale, was used to produce a superior candle.[7] Late in the 18th century, colza oil and rapeseed oil came into use as much cheaper substitutes. Paraffin was first distilled in 1830, and revolutionized candle-making, as it was an inexpensive material which produced a high-quality, odorless candle that burned reasonably cleanly. The industry was devastated soon after, however, by the distillation of kerosene (confusingly also called paraffin oil or just paraffin). Recently resin based candles that are freestanding and transparent have been developed, with the claim that they burn longer than traditional paraffin candles. They are usually scented and oil based.



In the days leading to Christmas some people burn a candle a set amount to represent each day, as marked on the candle. The type of candle used in this way is called the "Advent candle",[9] although this term is also used to refer to a candle that decorates an Advent wreath.

Candles and religion


The candle is used in Sikhism on Diwali, the festival of light.[10]


Candles are a traditional part of Buddhist ritual observances. Along with incense and flowers, candles (or some other type of light source, such as butter lamps) are placed before Buddhist shrines or images of the Buddha as a show of respect. They may also be accompanied by offerings of food and drink.[11] The light of the candles is described as representing the light of the Buddha's teachings, echoing the metaphor of light used in various Buddhist scriptures.[11][12] See Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival for an example of a Buddhist festival that makes extensive use of candles.





Traditional diyas have now evolved into a form wherein waxes are being used as replacements for oils.[13]


In Christianity the candle is commonly used in worship both for decoration and ambiance, and as a symbol that represent the light of God or, specifically, the light of Christ. The altar candle is often placed on the altar, usually in pairs. Candles are also carried in processions, especially to either side of the processional cross. A votive candle or taper may be lit as an accompaniment to prayer.[14]

Candles are lit by worshippers in front of icons in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Catholic and other churches. This is referred to as "offering a candle", because the candle is a symbol of the worshiper offering himself or herself to God (and proceeds from the sale of the candle are offerings by the faithful which go to help the church).[15] Among the Eastern Orthodox, there are times when the entire congregation stands holding lit tapers, such as during the reading of the Matins Gospels on Good Friday, the Lamentations on Holy Saturday, funerals, Memorial services, etc. There are also special candles that are used by Orthodox clergy. A bishop will bless using dikirion and trikirion (candlesticks holding two and three candles, respectively). At Pascha (Easter) the priest holds a special Paschal trikirion, and the deacon holds a Paschal candle. The priest will also bless the faithful with a single candle during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (celebrated only during Great Lent).

In the Roman Catholic Church a liturgical candle must be made of at least 51% beeswax, the remainder may be paraffin or some other substance.[16] In the Orthodox Church, the tapers offered should be 100% beeswax, unless poverty makes this impossible. The stumps from burned candles can be saved and melted down to make new candles.

In some Western churches, a special candle known as the Paschal candle, specifically represents the Resurrected Christ and is lit only at Easter, funerals, and baptisms.[17] In the Eastern Orthodox Church, during Bright Week (Easter Week) the priest holds a special Paschal trikirion (triple candlestick) and the deacon holds a large candle during all of the services at which they serve.

In Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, St. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13 with the crowning of a young girl with a wreath of candles.[18]

In many Western churches, a group of candles arranged in a ring, known as an Advent wreath, are used in church services in the Sundays leading up to Christmas. In households in some Western European countries, a single candle marked with the days of December is gradually burned down, day by day, to mark the passing of the days of Advent; this is called an Advent candle.


In Judaism, a pair of candles are lit on Friday evening prior to the start of the weekly Sabbath celebration.[19] On Saturday night, a special candle with several wicks is lit for the Havdalah ritual marking the end of the Sabbath and the beginning of the new week.[19]

The eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by lighting a menorah or Hanukkiyah each night to commemorate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.[20]

A memorial candle is lit on the Yahrtzeit, or anniversary of the death of a loved one according to the Hebrew calendar. The candle burns for twenty-four hours. A memorial candle is also lit on Yom HaShoah, a day of remembrance for all those who perished in the Holocaust.[21]

Candles are also lit prior to the onset of the Three Festivals (Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot) and the eve of Yom Kippur, and Rosh Hashanah.[22]






Unitarian Universalism



In Wicca and related forms of Paganism, the candle is 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 classical elements: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. When used in this manner, lighting and extinguishing the candle marks the opening and closing of the ritual. The candle is also frequently used for magical meditative purposes. Altar candles are traditionally thick tall candles or long tapers which are available in many colors. In Wicca, the candles that are used come in a variety of colors, depending on the nature of the ritual or custom at hand. Some Wiccans may use red, green, blue, yellow and white or purple candles to represent the elements.


  2. On Fire - Background Essay, NOVA on Teachers' Domain, WGBH. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  3. Hamins, A., Yang, J.C. and Kashiwagi, T. (1992). An Experimental Investigation of the Pulsation Frequency of Flames, Proc. Combust. Inst., 24: 1695–1702.
  4. John Hall, NFPA 2009, <
  6. Malbrough, Ray T. (1998). The Magical Power of the Saints: Evocation and Candle Rituals. Llewellyn Worldwide. pp. 68. ISBN 1567184561. 
  7. Shillito, M. Larry; David J. De Marle (1992). Value: Its Measurement, Design, and Management. Wiley-IEEE. pp. 33. ISBN 0471527386.,M1. 
  9. Geddes, Gordon; Jane Griffiths. Christianity. Heinemann. pp. 89. ISBN 0435306936.,M1. 
  10. Peoples of Eastern Asia. Marshall Cavendish. 2004. pp. 223. ISBN 0761475516.,M1. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 Teece, Geoff (2004). Buddhism. Black Rabbit Books. pp. 24. ISBN 1583404643.,M1. 
  12. Lay Buddhist Practice by Bhikkhu Khantipalo
  13. sample of a traditional earthen clay lamp
  14. Cooper, Jean C. (1996). Dictionary of Christianity. Taylor & Francis. pp. 43. ISBN 1884964494.,M1. 
  15. Eastmond, Antony; Liz James, Robin Cormack (2003). Icon and Word: the power of images in Byzantium. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.. pp. 145. ISBN 075463549X. 
  16. Anson, Peter F. (2007). Churches - Their Plan and Furnishing. READ BOOKS. pp. 111. ISBN 1406758892. 
  17. Stravinskas, Peter M. J.; Sean O'Malley (2002). Catholic Dictionary. Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. pp. 576. ISBN 087973390X. 
  18. Miles, Clement A. (1976). Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance. Courier Dover Publications. pp. 221–224. ISBN 0486233545.,M1. 
  19. 19.0 19.1 Olitzky, Kerry M.; Ronald H. Isaacs, Dorcas Gelabert (2004). The Complete how to Handbook for Jewish Living: Three Volumes in One. KTAV Publishing House, Inc.. pp. 49–60. ISBN 0881258385.,M1. 
  20. Cohn-Sherbok, Dan (2003). Judaism: History, Belief and Practice. Routledge. pp. 522. ISBN 0415236614.,M1. 
  21. Olitzky, Kerry M.; Ronald H. Isaacs, Dorcas Gelabert (2004). The Complete how to Handbook for Jewish Living: Three Volumes in One. KTAV Publishing House, Inc.. pp. 432–433. ISBN 0881258385.,M1. 
  22. Jacobs, Louis (1995). The Jewish Religion: A Companion. Oxford University Press. pp. 34. ISBN 0198264631. 
  23. Olitzky, Kerry M.; Marc Lee Raphael (2000). An Encyclopedia of American Synagogue Ritual. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 11–13. ISBN 0313308144.,M1. 
  24. Peek, Philip M.; Kwesi Yankah (2004). African Folklore: An Encyclopedia. Taylor & Francis. pp. 201–203. ISBN 041593933X.,M1. 

External links

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original article was at Candle. The list of authors can be seen in the page history.

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