Welcome to Saturday Snippets ..my one-word prompt today is none other than “Candle”…
Why candles only my muse knows that…she takes me anywhere and everywhere…I like candles they can look so pretty but I am also happy that I don’t live in the era when all there was for light were candles or a fire…
Candles were first mentioned in Biblical times, as early as the tenth century BCE. These early candles were made of wicks stuck into containers filled with flammable material.
The first dipped candles were made by the Romans from rendered animal fat called tallow which was made from pigs’ fat… Since tallow was cheap and easily available, tallow candles were the most widely used types of candles for centuries.
In the 1500s, beeswax was introduced as an alternative to tallow. Beeswax candles burn brighter and longer with less smoke, and they smell better than tallow candles. However, beeswax was more difficult to obtain, which meant that beeswax candles were used almost exclusively by the upper classes and the Church in Europe during this time. All candles were made by dipping until the 1400’s when a French inventor introduced moulds for taper candles.
Other materials which have been used for candles more recently include spermaceti, a waxy material obtained from the sperm whale, paraffin, which is made from coal and oil shales, and bayberry wax, which is a residue left from boiling huge quantities of bayberries. Wicking can be made from almost any kind of fibre; one of the most common in the early days was loosely spun cotton.
Today with the research and advancement in candle making we have a choice and can choose the healthiest candles to buy…because yes candle smoke can be toxic to humans…Obviously, you want to avoid paraffin wax but what waxes should you look for? Soy wax, beeswax and coconut wax are all great options. Be sure to make sure labels say the candles are 100% soy or beeswax (companies like to create blends with paraffin wax because it’s cheaper) and if possible, buy sustainably sourced candles!
Candle Fish…a little fish known by many names…Called hooligan or candlefish by Alaskans, but referred to as eulachon by biologists…
Did You Know?
- A Eulachon’s fatty flesh is so oily that the fish will actually burn like a candle once dried
- Eulachon are more commonly referred to as candlefish, hooligan, or smelt
- Eulachon is an important food source in many of Alaska’s rural communities.
Candle Clock…A candle clock is a thin candle with consistently spaced marking that, when burned, indicates the passage of periods of time. While no longer used today, candle clocks provided an effective way to tell time indoors, at night, or on a cloudy day.
Candle and Rising Water experiment…
Something to show the grandkids?
Candle Festival…
The traditional Candle Festival takes place during Asahna Bucha and Khao Phansa days, two important Buddhist events that celebrate respectively Buddha’s first sermon and the beginning of Khao Pansa or Buddhist Lent which lasts for three months. The events are marked by ceremonies and processions in the form of large-scale, colourful parades of magnificent floats with huge, extravagant candlewax sculptures, Thai traditional dance and music.
Candlelit Dinner…a meal for a couple which is illuminated by a candle or candles, especially in order to create a romantic mood…
Candle Nut…similar in looks to the macadamia nut…Candlenut trees are native to the tropical northern rainforests of Australia, the Moluccas Islands, and Malaysia also found on many islands in the South Pacific. The botanical name Aleurites is derived from the Greek word for ‘floury’ in reference to the silvery, powdered appearance of its young leaves. The common name is derived from the tradition of making a crude candle by threading the midrib of a palm leaf through the raw nut like a wick and lighting it. Due to the high oil content in the nut, this device will burn like a candle.
Japan Candle Rock…Located about 500 meters off the northwest coast, Candle Rock is a narrow spire of volcanic rock rising vertically 20 meters out of the sea. Interesting enough, but what makes it special is when viewed with the setting sun resting on the tip of the rock it looks like a lit candle.
Candele …is a traditional pasta of Southern Italy, especially Campania. Pretty obviously, the word “candele” means candles and this pasta appears to have been inspired by the long slim candles used in Catholic religious processions.
Long being the operative word as ” candele” are about 50cm in length!
Thank you for joining me today for Saturday Snippets…as always I look forward to your comments …I hope you all have a fabulous weekend x
Retired? No one told me! 
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WOW….. Loved your Candle Light dear Carol.. and I too loved them.. But also like the modern era… 😀 loved your research.. Much love
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Thank you so much, dear Sue.. xoxo
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We have a huge selection of scented candles. My wife loves them, and we use them to help overcome the smell of Ollie! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete. x
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They certainly help with that especially the wet dog smell…Jasmine is one of my favourite scents x
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So many candles to light up our world! 🙂
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Always fascinating Carol.. and never heard of Candle nut or fish… very interesting ♥
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Thank you, Sally I learn a lot from these one-word prompts both from my research and the comments ❤
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I had no idea that dried smelts can burn like a candle. I just marinate them in oi and vinegar – delicious! That’s another Odessa specialty.
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Thank goodness for beeswax! Of course Elton John’s song was perfect for this post. I’ve always loved Helen Reddy’s voice. Terrific Saturday Snippets, Carol!
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Thank you so much Jennie I love Satuday Snippets and the connections one word can unearth…and yes thank goodness for beeswax! x
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They are a highlight of my week. Best to you, Carol!
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Awww bless you for your kind words, Jennie I hope you have had a fabulous weekend 🙂 x
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You are welcome, Carol! Best to you. 🙂
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And there are candles on chestnut trees at this very moment. I was just photographing them today.
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Oh wow… I didn’t know that.. I just googled it what a fascinating little tale on how the candles came to be.. Thank you, Janet 😊x
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I’m glad you included Candle in the Wind, such a lovely song!
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It is indeed, Dorothy 🙂 x
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Helen Reddy has such a great voice. Thanks for that wonderful song. Have you heard of ear candling? Some people say it works well but the medical profession is against it. https://www.healthline.com/health/the-truth-about-ear-candles
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I had ear candling done once when I was in the UK and it didn’t appear to make any difference and then I started reading what the medical profession were saying and didn’t want to take any chances… Our ears are important to us… I agree I like Helen Reddy too… She has a lovely voice. 😊x
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As usual, Carol, you have given us a varied and interesting piece. I’d guess you were hard pressed to avoid choosing Elton for one of your musical selections! I’ll add one to your repertoire, as I suspect you won’t know it, as it was only an album track: Candle Of Life, by the Moody Blues. It’s rather nice 😊 x
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It was a choice between Elton and a Beatles one and I am even less of a Beatles fan there were some dire ones but thank you for the Moody Blues as I quite like them I’ll check it out 🙂 x
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I didn’t know the Beatles had done a ‘candle’ song and I’m clearly a much bigger fan than you are! That one must have passed me by. Hope you like the Moodies’ one 😊 x
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Yes, its not bad not their best but a good listen, Clive.. 😊x
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An album track, so not their most immediate track. I played it a lot when the album first came out 😊 x
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Thank you for the reblog:) x
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