Candle Making

Is an ancient craft practice involving the creation of candles from various materials such as animal fat (tallow), beeswax, paraffin, stearin, soy, and palm wax. Candle making dates back to around 3000 BCE, when the Ancient Egyptians used grease-based torches and primitive candles. In Ancient China and Japan, candles were made from rice paper and oils, while in Ancient Rome, more advanced candles with wicks made from papyrus soaked in fat appeared. During the Middle Ages in Europe, beeswax candles became common in churches and wealthy homes due to their clean burn and pleasant scent, while most people still used smoky, foul-smelling tallow candles. In the 19th century, the discovery and mass production of paraffin and stearin made candles cleaner, cheaper, and more accessible. In the 20th century, with the advent of electricity, candles lost their practical role but experienced a revival as decorative, therapeutic, and handmade objects. Modern candle making includes various techniques such as pouring, rolling, molding, carving, and layering, with a wide variety of shapes, wicks, additives, and colorants. It has become popular for making scented candles with essential oils, decorative pieces for holidays like Christmas or Halloween, and eco-friendly alternatives using soy or coconut wax. Candle making today is a way to express creativity, add atmosphere to living spaces, participate in ritual or meditative practices, and engage in a relaxing, tactile craft.