9 Illuminating Fun Facts About Candles You'll Absolutely Love

1. The Hanukkah "Olympic Torch"

You might say the Hanukkah menorah is the "Olympic Torch" of Jewish festivities, lighting the way for eight nights of divine party crashing: The nine-candle menorah, or hanukkiyah, ignites its extra candle to spread the light and hope of Hanukkah, marking the rededication of the sanctuary after an unholy squabble between the Egyptian and Greek-Assyrian empires – bringing light, gratitude, and a side of harvest feasting to the miracle-filled holiday menu.
Source => home.dartmouth.edu

2. Candlemas: From Goatskin Whips to Holy Candles

Hold on to your goatskin whips and holy candles, folks: Candlemas, celebrated on February 2nd, originally marked the end of the Roman Lupercalia festival where young men donned animal skins and struck women's palms for fertility. The Church, however, usurped this pagan fun and created a festival of light, where Christians now bless candles, honouring Jesus as the light for the people of Israel.
Source => alimentarium.org

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=> Fun Facts about Fire

3. Candlepower: The Bad Boys of Light Measurement

Candles, get your candles here! Fun fact: these fiery little fellows were once the resident bad boys of light measurement, rocking out the unit “candlepower” like a punky Edison down the boulevard of broken glowsticks. Alas, their time in the limelight came to a waxy end: candlepower is now an obsolete term, but it still peeks around the corner as a unit for defining auto headlamps and other lawfully lit things in the California Vehicle Code. So charge ahead on that Golden State street, smarty-pants, and thank the humble candle for lighting your way!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Ancient Egyptians: The Bunless Bakers of DIY Candles

You might say the ancient Egyptians were "bunless bakers" when it came to their DIY candles: Instead of beeswax, they relied on rushlights made by soaking the core of rush plants in animal fat or grease, which were primarily used for lighting and religious ceremonies, with beeswax making its grand entrance only when the Romans decided to mix things up.
Source => arabamerica.com

5. Bayberries: The Avocado on Toast of Colonial Christmas

Bayberries, the "avocado on toast" of colonial Christmas customs: Burning a Bayberry candle on Christmas Day is believed to bring good luck for an entire year, and went on to shape the candlemaking traditions during early American colonial times.
Source => colonialcandle.com

6. German Christians: Pioneering the "Lit" Christmas Tree

Talk about pioneering the "lit" look: back in the 17th century, German Christians decided to deck their Christmas trees with flaming-hot fashion accessories – candles! The serious reveal: the tradition of illuminating Christmas trees began with candles secured using pins, wire, or melted wax, but proved a fire hazard, eventually leading to the invention of electric lights.
Source => aleteia.org

7. Bee-dazzling Fabric Art with Beeswax

Ready to have your socks bee-dazzled and mind blown? As if bees weren't already the bee's knees, they also help make beautiful fabric art: Beeswax is the most common type of wax used in batik cloth dyeing, often mixed with paraffin wax and plant resins to create a dye-resist material, while soy wax offers a more eco-friendly alternative.
Source => batikindonesia.com

8. Birthday Candles: Carrying on the Ancient Roman Tradition

Before you blow out your birthday candles and make a wish, remember you are following the ancient tradition of gift-giving: Wax candles and oil lamps were popular gifts during the week-long Saturnalia festival in ancient Rome, held during the winter solstice. These festive candles and ornately decorated lamps were used as offerings to the god Saturn and lit up their nighttime revelries.
Source => getty.edu

9. Stearin: The Secret Ingredient to Fabulous Candles

Have a burning desire for candles that last longer, resist the temptation to drip, and boast outrageously fabulous hues? Worry not, dear candle aficionados, for we present to you the not-so-secret ingredient to light up your waxy world: stearin! Spoiler alert: stearin wax not only gives you a steadier flame but also increases the melting point of paraffin wax, making your candles last longer and burst with vibrant colors. So, let the stearin party begin!
Source => shamrockaffiliations.ws