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Candles

David Chandler

A candle is a light source usually consisting of an internal wick which rises

through the center of a column of solid fuel. Typically the fuel is some form

of wax with paraffin wax being the most common. Prior to the candle being

ignited, the wick is saturated with the fuel in its solid form. The heat of the

match or other flame being used to light the candle first melts and then

vaporizes a small amount of the fuel. Once vaporized, the fuel combines

with oxygen in the atmosphere to form a flame. This flame then provides

sufficient heat to keep the candle burning via a self-sustaining chain of

events: the heat of the flame melts the top of the mass of solid fuel, the

liquefied fuel then moves upward through the wick via capillary action, and

the liquefied fuel is then vaporized to burn within the candle's flame. The

burning of the fuel takes place in several distinct regions (as evidenced by

the various colors that can be seen within the candle's flame). Within the

bluer, hotter regions, hydrogen is being separated from the fuel and

burned to form water vapor. The brighter, yellower part of the flame is the

remaining carbon soot being oxidized to form carbon dioxide.

As the mass of the solid fuel is melted and consumed, the candle grows

shorter. Portions of the wick that are not evaporating the liquid fuel are

themselves consumed in the flame, limiting the exposed length of the wick.

Usage

Prior to the domestication of electricity, candles were a common source of

lighting, before, and later in addition to, the oil lamp. Due to local

availability and the cost of resources, for several centuries up to the 19th

century candles were more common in northern Europe, and olive oil lamps

more common in southern Europe and around the Mediterranean Sea.

Makers of candles were known as chandlers.

Today, candles are usually used for their aesthetic value, particularly to set

a soft, warm, or romantic ambience, and for emergency lighting during

electrical power failures. Scented candles are common in aromatherapy.

Small candles are often placed on birthday cakes.

Religion

Candles are used in religious ceremonies.

Christianity

In Christianity, they typically represent the light of Jesus, and are often

placed on the altar. Votive candles may be lit as an accompaniment to

prayer. Candles are lit by worshippers in front of icons in Orthodox and

other churches.

Candlemas marks the end of the season of Epiphany.

Candles were traditionally used to light up Christmas trees before the

advent of electric lights. They are still, even today, commonly used to

decorate Christmas trees in Denmark and other European countries. They

are also used in Advent wreaths.

In Sweden (and other Scandinavian countries), St. Lucia Day is celebrated

on December 13 with the crowning of a young girl with a ring of candles.

Judaism

In Judaism, candles are traditionally lit on Friday evening at the start of the

weekly Sabbath celebration. The Jewish holiday of Chanukah, also known

as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by lighting a candle in a special

candelabrum (menorah) each night during the eight-day holiday to

commemorate the dedication of the altar in the Temple in Jerusalem.

Candles are also used in remembering a deceased loved one, especially on

Yom HaShoah, The Day of the Holocaust.

Kwanzaa

Candles are also used in celebrations of Kwanzaa, which is an African

American holiday, which runs from December 26 to January 1.

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