candles

otheruses 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 - 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 Fireflame. 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 liquified fuel then moves upward through the wick via capillary action, and the liquified 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 - s.]]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 religionreligious ceremonies.

Buddhism - See ''Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival''

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 Eastern OrthodoxyOrthodox and other churches. See also ''Paschal candle'' and ''Dikiri and trikiri''. 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), Saint LucySt. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13 with the crown (headgear)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 ShabbatSabbath celebration. The Jewish holiday of !Jewish_holidays#Chanukah_-_Fes tival_of_LightsChanukah, 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.

Humanism - For Humanists, skeptic skeptics, and nontheism nontheists (and particularly secular humanism secular humanists), candles have become a symbol of the light of reason or rationality. This association was inspired by Carl Sagan, who subtitled his 1997 book ''The Demon-Haunted World'' with ''Science as a Candle in the Dark''. The Humanist festival of HumanLight often features a candle-lighting ceremony.

Wicca - In Wicca and related forms of Neopaganism, candles are frequently used on the altar to represent the presence of the God and Goddess, and in the four corners of a ritual circle to represent the presence of the four elements. When used in this manner, lighting and extinguishing the candles marks the opening and closing of the ritual. Candles are also frequently used by Wiccans and other Neopagans for Magic_(paranormal)magical and meditative purposes.

Measurement - With the fairly consistent and measurable burning of a candle a common use was to tell the time, though the accuracy is debatable. Some candles have these measurements, usually in hours, marked along the wax.In the days leading to Christmas some people burn a set amount to represent each day, as marked on the candle. Candles used in this way are called ''Advent candles''.

Fuel and candle holders - Candles can be made of paraffin (a byproduct of petroleum refining), stearin (now produced almost exclusively from palm waxes), beeswax (a byproduct of honey collection), gel (a mixture of resin and mineral oil), some plant waxes (generally palm, carnauba waxcarnauba, bayberry, or soy), or tallow (a rarely used byproduct of beef fat rendering). Candles are produced in various colors, shapes, sizes and scents. The most basic production method generally entails the liquification of the solid fuel by the controlled application of heat. This liquid is then poured into a mold to produce pillar candles, a fireproof jar to produce container candles, or a wick is repeatedly immersed in the liquid to create a dipped taper. Often times scents in the form of a polar or non-polar synthetic oil is added to the liquid wax prior to pouring. Natural scents, in the form of essential oils, can be used, but these are usually only found in premium, small-run candles. Candles may also be colored by the addition of some sort of coloring agent. In practical terms this is almost always an aniline based dye however, pigments can be used in some circumstances. It is commonly believed candles made of beeswax and/or soy burn more cleanly than petroleum based paraffin waxes. The amount of soot produced by a candle, independent of what kind of wax is used, is generally more dependent on environmental conditions (drafts will often cause sooting) and the type of wick used (a poorly sized wick will lead to sooting). The inclusion of any scents and/or dyes will increase the amount of particulates put into the air by any candle regardless of construction materials. The cleanest burning candles will therefore be unscented, undyed, and well constructed candles burning in a draft free area. Decorative candle holders, especially those shaped as a pedestal, are called candlesticks; if multiple candles are held, the term candelabrum is also used. The root form of ''chandelier'' is from the word for candle, though candles are rarely raised and hung today.

Hazards - Candles are a major cause of damaging fire in households.A former worry regarding the safety of candles was that a lead core is used in the wicks in order to keep the wicks upright in container candles. Without a stiff core, the wicks of container candles would sag and drown in the deep wax pool formed. The fear was that the lead in these wicks would vaporize during the burning process and release lead vapours - a known health and developmental hazard. While this was true at one time, lead-cored wicks have not been in common use since the 1970s. While some very small percentage of candles might still be found to have lead cored wicks, these are extremely rare. Most metal-cored wicks use zinc or a zinc alloy. Wicks made from specially-treated paper and cotton are also used to replace metal-cored wicks of any type. Still, caution should be used with candles fabricated in countries without regulations regarding lead-cored wicks.

See also -

Rushlight

Timeline of lighting technology

The candela (symbol: cd, Latin for candle) is one of the seven SI base units measuring the luminous intensity. it supersedes the former candlepower.

External links - CommonsCandle

candles.org - National Candle Association of the United StatesU.S.

burnacandle.org - Burn a virtual candle- ArtificialLightSources !Category:LightingCategory:Arab ic? wordsLink FAnl !ar:شمعةbg:Свещde:Kerze es:Vela? !(iluminación)eo:Kandelofr:Bou giehe:נרnl:Kaarsja:ろうそ くpl:Świecasl:Svečasr:Св� �ћаfi:Kynttiläsv:Stearinlju szh:蜡烛 DEBUG REDIRECT (candle)

Candles ~ Highly Scented Candles, Hand Poured Candles
Candles ~ Highly Scented Candles ~Hand Poured Candles from Mrs. Candles ~ The Perfect Candle to Commpliment Your Personal Style Await You.
http://www.mrs-candles.com/

Survival Dynamo Flashlight
We are wholesale suppliers and retailers of Survival Dynamo Flashlight working without batteries.
http://www.dynamoflashlight.ca/main/

Lotuscandle - blossoming light object
Lotuscandle - the candle with the blossoming effect develops a charming bloom of wax. At the end of the process the Lotucandle turns into a beautiful object of light and wax.
http://www.lotuscandle.com/

Joy of Chocolate
A novelty and gift store for chocolate loves.
http://www.joyofchocolate.com/

Candlenuts Coconuit Shell Candles
Highly scented coconut shell candles we also carry jars, and seashell candles.
http://www.candlenuts.org/

Scented candles candele profumate cere essenze naturali
produzione candele profumate diffusori essenze dal 1961
http://www.lumen.it/

Crafty Candles
Unique Canadian crafted candles! Huge selection!
http://www.craftycandles.ca/

Ceramics, Gifts & Foods from Spain
Hand-painted ceramics, gourmet food, candles & gifts from Spain
http://www.fromspain.com/

EileensEshop
Looking for a gift that will be teasured for a lifetime? Gifts and home decor for discerning buyers.
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Chinese candles, China candle manufacturer
Manufacture candles christmas candles christmas decorative candles candle manufacturer candle china manufacturer pillar decorative chinese candles
http://www.candlesmaker.com/

Unique and Personalized Gifts
Find the right gift for that special someone. Specializing in unique and personalized gifts, we encourage you to browse our website and send someone you know a unique and personalized gift.
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Roger S Wright Furniture, Ltd
Kitchens, custom furniture, lighting, gifts and accessories for the country home.
http://www.rswfurniture.com/

^*^Dingbat Creations^*^
We are a family-run business specializing in Hand-Poured Soy-Wax candles, Natural Lip Balms, Hand-Poured Soaps, Handmade Jewelry, and Off-Beat Antenna Toppers. 
http://www.dingbatcreations.com/

Candles and scent
Compraidee.it is a shop online. Here you can find and buy products for furnishings complement. All items are made in Italy. We try foreign vendors.
http://www.compraidee.it/

Tinafays Crafts & Candles
scented candles.Scented Candles for sale,Unique candles,Clothing and Lingerie.Gifts for every occasion.Antique restorable Cars has several antique cars for sale,antique project cars.
http://www.tinafayscrafts.com/

Candles by Victoria
Offers jars and votives. Has FAQ and party information.
http://www.candlesbyvictoria.com/

Happy Candles
Handmade and including those that glow in the dark, novelties, and soaps.
http://happycandles.com

Lilikoi Candles
Specializing in Hawaiian scents. Also bath and body products, guestbook and list of upcoming craft shows.
http://www.lilikoicandles.com/

Candle Comfort
Available scented and unscented, plus assorted pillars, tapers, aromatherapy and votives.
http://www.candlecomfort.com/

C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust Museum
The C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust Museum is dedicated to the children of the Holocaust and those subjected to the experiments of Dr. Joseph Mengele.
http://www.candles-museum.com

Contemporary Candles
Offering containers, votives, pillars, novelty, and holiday candles and gift sets. Wholesale and party information.
http://www.contemporarycandles.com/