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Candles
A long, long time ago, after the sun would go down, people looked for an alternative source of light. It is assumed that it was around 3000 BC that the Egyptians soaked reeds in melted animal fat and used them to light their way. Those were most likely the first "candles" in the world.
Since then, candles have slowly modernized. Wicks were constantly improved, new waxes were developed. But candles stayed what they were at the beginning - a light in the darkness.
For the first "candlemakers" it was, at the beginning, only a matter of physical light, but soon the meaning expanded. Having a light to show you the way when you don't know where to go gained meaning in everyday life, and it stayed like that even today.
A light in the darkness especially became associated with faith. Ancient Romans used torches and candles (wicked with papyrus) in their religious ceremonies. Candles became symbols of spirituality, hope, and the power of emotions. And they had that significance in all religions throughout the history.
That is why people were constantly looking for better materials for candles. They boiled cinnamon, berries, made wax from tree seeds, rape seeds, animal suit, even whale fat, butter...
In time, scientists have discovered ways to "subdue" all waxes. Today, we can color wax and shape it in every way imaginable. The fragrance often being the most important characteristic in burning candles, there are around 10,000 scents that can be incorporated into different types of candles. This variety has also opened possibility for using the knowledge of aromatherapy for our physical and psychological well-being.
Ever since the advent of electricity, candles are no more a necessity. Yet, the need for a different kind of light in our lives has kept us lighting candles and developing even healthier ones like soy wax and palm wax candles to keep up with the times.
Candles have remained an integral part of religious institutions and they continue to be used when people want to keep the memory of their loved ones and to cling to the everlasting hope in their hearts.
And by lighting candles on baby showers and birthdays, by decorating our homes on holidays or even by burning them in our homes on an ordinary day, we are actually celebrating life itself.