Candle Making Instructions Index

A Brief History of Candle Making

Candles date back to early biblical times.  For centuries they were the main source of light.  Most of the early Greek and Roman candles were made from a thread of flax coated with wax and pitch.  In other countries, candles were made of palm oil, coconut oil, beeswax and olive oil. 

In the middle ages, bayberry wax was refined in England for use in making candles.  The earliest dipped candles were made of tallow, but had an unpleasant smell.  In the early 1800's paraffin was made to replace tallow as the main ingredient for candle making. 

Although, electricity has replaced candle power as an important source of light, the candle still remains in our lives.  Today candles are more popular than ever.  They are used for decorative purposes, for festive occasions, for the calm and sanctity they evoke, and for the general mood of warmth, relaxation, and even romance they creates in our homes.