• Alex Savin
• March 10, 2022
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All Uses of Candles

A candle is an amazing invention used for many purposes. Their use extends from purely practical ones like lighting a room to an aesthetical like the use of scented candles and they can even have religious and magical use. This article will guide you through all uses of candles as a religion and everyday life.

What is a candle

A candle is a solid block or cylinder of wax with an embedded wick, which is lit to provide light, and sometimes heat.

Today, most candles are made from paraffin. Candles can also be made from beeswax, soy, other plant waxes, and tallow (a by-product of beef-fat rendering). Gel candles are made from a mixture of paraffin and plastic.

A candle manufacturer is traditionally known as a chandler. Various devices have been invented to hold candles, from simple tabletop candle holders, to elaborate chandeliers.

Before the invention of electric lighting candles and oil lamps were commonly used for illumination. In areas without electricity, they are still used routinely. Until the 20th century, candles were more common in northern Europe. In southern Europe and the Mediterranean, oil lamps predominated. In the developed world today, uses of candles mainly for their aesthetic value and scent, particularly to set a soft, warm, or romantic ambiance, and for emergency lighting during electrical power failures. Scented candles are used in aromatherapy. They are also used for religious or ritual purposes.

Uses of candles in religion

Uses of candles in christianity

In Christianity, the candle is commonly used in worship both for decoration and ambiance, and as a symbol that represents 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.

Judaism

A yahrtzeit candle lit on the Hebrew anniversary of a loved one’s death.

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

Buddhism

The uses of 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. 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.

Wicca

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.

Satanism

During satanic rituals, black candles are the only light source, except for one white candle on the altar. The dim lighting is used to create an air of mystique and the color of the candles has symbolic meaning.

In Greco-Roman times there were many ways of honoring a person of high importance. For example, certain dignitaries of the empire were honored with lights that were carried before them. Lights appear as symbols of office at least in the Notitia dignitatum (c. A.D. 405–425). In other instances, portraits of persons of noble birth were placed on a table surrounded by candles burning on candelabras. The use of lights for honoring a person can be traced back to the illumination in sanctuaries, common during ceremonies of cult, achieved by various means such as torches, candles, and lamps.

Uses of candles in everyday life

The repellent effect of 3 essential-oil-based candles was evaluated in a high biting pressure environment in Israel. In human landing assays, the repellency rate of 5% citronella candles against mosquitoes was 29.0%, of 5% linalool candles was 71.1%, and of 5% geraniol candles were 85.4%. The candles with geraniol were about twice as effective as those with linalool and were about 5 times as effective as citronella candles in protecting a person from being bitten indoors by mosquitoes. The repellency rate of 5% citronella candles towards sand flies was 24.7%, of 5% linalool candles was 55.2%, and of 5% geraniol candles were 79.7%. A geraniol candle was almost 5 times as effective as a citronella candle and about twice as effective as a linalool candle in protecting a person from being bitten indoors by sand flies.

We assessed the efficacy of 3% citronella candles and 5% citronella incense in protecting subjects from bites of Aedes spp. under field conditions. The study was conducted in a deciduous woodlot in Guelph, Ontario, Canada from July 26 to August 10, 1995. Eight subjects, dressed identically, were assigned to one of 8 positions on a grid within the study area. Two citronella candles, 2 citronella incense, 2 plain unscented candles, or no candles (i.e., non-treated controls) were assigned to 2 positions on the grid each evening. Subjects conducted 5-min biting counts at each position and performed 16 biting counts per evening. On average, subjects received 6.2 +/- 0.4, 8.2 +/- 0.5, 8.2 +/- 0.4, and 10.8 +/- 0.5 bites/ 5 min at positions with citronella candles, citronella incense, plain candles, and no candles, respectively. Although significantly fewer bites were received by subjects at positions with citronella candles and incense than at nontreated locations, the overall reduction in bites provided by the citronella candles and incense was only 42.3 and 24.2%, respectively.

It stands there in cold silence. A hand clasps it. Human energy flows into its mute form, lending it power. A magic spark blossoms and forms a dancing flame. Fire meets Earth, producing Water and Air. Wax melts. The power is sent forth.

Every year, millions of candles are used for a variety of purposes. They shine from restaurant tables, flicker on altars devoted to “conventional” religious paths, light the homeless in secret rooms of abandoned buildings, provide a firey glow to birthday cakes, and are urgently lit during electrical power outages.

Candles are also used for magical purposes. The reasons for this are clear:

• Candles are available in a wide range of colors, and colors are directly related to specific magical energies.
• Candles absorb personal power.
• When burned, candles release this energy over a period of time.

Indeed, the changes that occur when the fire is touched to wick are extraordinary. The candle itself, unlit, represents the element of Earth. When touched with Fire, the candle melts, producing liquid wax (representing the element of Water) and smoke (the element of Air). This seemingly miraculous process is another reason why candles are an accepted part of folk magic.

There are many factors that play into the art of candle magic. As we know any type of magic that is performed will return to you threefold, whether it be positive or negative. Always keep the Wiccan Rede “An harm to none do what thou wilt” in mind when considering your work. Always keep in mind that magic effect’s the entire world around you. Be very careful what you ask for, for it may well come true. The wording in any type of magic must not be taken lightly, be very careful, concise, and precise, make sure you have covered all possible bases.

Conclusion

Uses of candles are used for various purposes and just observing their usage can be very interesting. They carry mythical and religious symbolism, are used for decorative purposes as well as practical but above all, they are the symbol of light, of God, and of good. Candles will be used forever regardless of all new technologies and ways of providing lighting.