Flickering flame

TAMARAPU SAMPATH KUMARAN

Fire, generally signifies a sacred and spiritual presence. It is viewed as sacred and of divine origin. The festival of lights in India, and the use of torches has been in vogue for centuries. Torches have been used throughout history. In ancient Assyria and Babylonia they were used to carry a newly consecrated fire from torch to torch. Candles have been used, using pith of rushes soaked in household grease. The primitive forms of candlestick was a torch made of strips of bark, vine tendril or wood dipped in wax or tallow, tied high and held in the hand by the lower end. An improvement was made later by dipping cotton thread in melted tallow. Later it was attached to a cup or discus to catch the dripping wax or tallow.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the history of the candlestick is connected with the church. Bee-wax candles have been used from early times. In the 19th Century a French chemist, Michel-Eugene Chevreul, separated the fatty acid from the glycerin of fat to produce the stearic acid, from which superior candles could be made. In the processing of petroleum, paraffin wax was obtained.

A composition of paraffin and stearic acid became the basic candle stock of modern candles. In use, the heat from the flame of the candle liquefies the wax near the base of the wick, and the liquid flows upward by capillary action, then is vaporised by the heat. The flame is the combustion of the wax vapour.

Candles were lit in decorated chandeliers and were in use during celebrations and functions. With the advent of electricity, the importance for candles and its usage was confined to ceremonial purposes and religious functions. To sustain the trade, modern candles are produced in various designs, colours, shapes and sizes, and many are perfumed too. Candle making is now a popular hobby too.

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