## Medieval Candle Making History
Candles have been used for centuries for many reasons, some practical and some spiritual. The medieval period was no different. Candles in medieval Europe were used for functions such as lighting, decorative, and religious aspects. This article will provide an insight into medieval candle making and candles in general throughout that time.
### Prevalence of Medieval Candle Making
Candle making flourished in the medieval period, with church records and other written sources mentioning candles regularly. It is most likely that the craft was practiced even earlier, during the Roman period, but the lack of written records from this period makes it difficult to confirm this definitively.
### Materials Used in Medieval Candle Making
In medieval times, candles were made of beeswax, tallow (animal fat), or a combination of the two. Beeswax was the preferred material due to its resistance to heat and its sweet smell. This material was difficult to obtain, however, so tallow was frequently used as an alternative.
### Techniques Used in Medieval Candle Making
The main technique used to make candles was dipping. This involved creating a wick, dipping it into a pot of molten wax/tallow, letting it cool, and then dipping it again. This process was repeated over and over until the candle was the desired size and thickness.
### Popular Uses for Medieval Candles
Medieval candles fulfilled a number of different functions throughout the period. Some of the more popular uses included religious purposes (such as lighting the inside of churches and lighting the way during religious processions), decorative uses (such as adorning tombs and other objects of religious importance), and practical purposes (such as providing a source of light for reading and writing).
### How Medieval Candle Making Lives On
Though it has changed significantly in the centuries since then, candle making remains an art today. With modern materials and techniques, candles can now be crafted to fulfill a wide range of uses such as mood lighting, aromatherapy, relaxation, and décor.
Despite the great advancements that have been made, we should not forget the importance of candles in the medieval period and the craft of candle making that sustained it. The time, effort, and history that went into candle making in the medieval period deserves to be recognized and appreciated.
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
