Candles - the invention of mankind, which is already thousands of years old. Once these sources of fire were incredibly expensive and were lit only in the homes of wealthy people.
What happened before?
Candlelight created a festive atmosphere, symbolized wealth and prosperity. The scope of the celebration could be estimated by the number of lit lights. Probably, then the phrase “the light of a thousand candles” appeared. When the celebration ended, the candelabra and candlesticks were thoroughly cleaned. Not a single candle end disappeared. The remnants melted, new light sources poured. And carefully kept until the next magnificent celebration.
Use cases
Over time, the candle acquired a symbolic meaning. For a writer or poet, creating his great work in the light of a lonely candle, has become a symbol of inspiration.
Festive, burning on the birthday cake, personify the continuation of life. On the festive Christmas tree lights are lit with the hope of happiness and many bright events next year. Candlelight has become synonymous with poverty.
Religious use
Candles began to be used in religious rites. In almost all known religions, this is a mandatory attribute. After all, a candle is a symbol of spiritual faith, capable of breaking up the darkness of ignorance. They began to be depicted in iconography as a mandatory attribute of some saints. On the icon of St. Brigitte, wax drops dripping onto a hand are depicted as a reminder of the wounds of Christ. In the images of St. Genevieve, the demon extinguishes a candle, and the angel lights again, thereby personifying the allegorical struggle of good and evil. The burning candle candle in the hands of the deceased demonstrates the departure of vital energy and health.
Magic use
In magical action, the candle took center stage. This is the most easily accessible attribute of fortune tellers and fortune tellers. It’s even hard to imagine how many magical sacraments are based on the symbolism of light, appearance, shape and even the color of the candle. After the end of the ceremony, not a single piece should have been lost, even the smallest cinder from candles. Where to get evidence of the application of secret knowledge? Every fortune-teller knows about this. They are carefully buried in secluded places.
Church candles
To cleanse and protect the home and property, only church candles are used. At many monasteries there is a candle production. In such places they work with prayer on the lips and the name of God in the head. The element of fire helps to cleanse oneself of malice, hatred, and spiritual contradictions. The candlelight from the church candle is by no means thrown out. They are also not recommended to store them at home. They have already completed their mission. The question arises, what to do with the cinder of church candles? These items are returned to the temple. Near church candlesticks there are always special boxes for cinder, where everything that remains of the luminaries is folded.
Present time. How are candles used now and what to do with cinder from them?
In the modern world, an incredible number of ways have been found to use such an ancient light source.
- Household candle. The most common and cheapest light source for power outages. She is given the simplest form and unassuming color. Available in almost every home.
- Table candle. In production, they try to give them a beautiful aesthetic shape: conical, twisted or curly. Applied to give color to the event. A romantic candlelight dinner is already unthinkable without such an attribute. It is believed that the cinder of the candle, in front of which they made an offer of marriage, must be preserved. It will be an amulet that preserves family relationships and strengthens life.
- Tea lights. Made in the form of tablets. They have a compact appearance and are poured into an aluminum case. They are used for heating teapots. Creative and romantic personalities find many more uses for them. They are inserted into decorative lamps, used in aromatic lamps.
- Gel candles. The most aesthetic and decorative. They have no color, are transparent, and when burning do not emit a smell. They are given the most beautiful images. The appearance of such a product depends only on the imagination of the creator. There is probably no such person who at least once would not try to create his own miracle. Any decorative bottle is taken, any material is poured to the bottom: various shells, beads, figures, flowers, slices of exotic fruits. The wick is inserted. After that, everything is filled with gel, and your own work of art is ready.
- Street candle. Designed for outdoor use. Outdoors during a picnic or in the country. Pyrotechnic additives are often added to such products. Then burning is accompanied by sparks, asterisks and lights of different colors.