Lighting Back in Colonial Times Here are

Lighting Back in Colonial Times

Here are some pictures of candles made by colonial women and their children (mostly girls). It took time to make these candles and also a lot of hard work.

This picture shows the materials used to make candles. You would use tallow (animal fat), a tin coffee can that was deep and narrow, a pot, a taper wick, a metal washer, a metal hanger, and a small clip.

Why Candles? Candle making wasn’t a hobby or a luxury, it was a need in a house of a colonist. Without candles, the would be no light at night for sewing, reading the Bible, or the obvious, being able to see your hand in front of your face. It sometimes is just used to calm the people down because they were stressed.

History of Candles • Candles And Time Candles have been a part of our culture for many, many years. Candles were used as lights for a very long time now. They have made it in our History books time and time again. Candles have been a part of religious beliefs for generations and in every part of the world for centuries. It brought out the “Spirits”. Candle burning is a form of therapy and brings us peace. Candles are used in ceremonies, spell casting and in the spirit world as well. Candles were used as part of healing and continue to be even now. They help soothe our senses and brings us happiness.

How to Make Candles

First Gather all your materials (look at the 2 slides back).

Second Chop your wax into small chunks and place it on a kitchen scale to measure its weight. When finished, place it in the coffee can. The knife to chop the wax The candle wax The coffee can

Third Put the can into the pot and fill water half way. Do not allow the can to float.

Fourth Put the pot over the fire and wait for the wax to melt.

Fifth Find a place in your kitchen where you can clip the metal clip so you can hang the candle by their wicks to dry.

Sixth Stir your wax and add some more wax to add the thickness.

Seventh • Dip the wick into the pot of melted wax and dry. Repeat several times (every 10 minutes) in order to make it thicker.

Results This is what you can do with candles now…look how pretty this is! Yay!

F a c t s A b o u t C a n dl e s Fun Candle Facts • Prior to the mid 19 th century, the majority of candles were tallow. The fuel now is nearly always some form of wax, with paraffin wax being the most common. Soy and vegetable-based candles are also available. • The Egyptians and Cretans made candles from beeswax, as early as 3000 BC. Early candles were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. • In the 18 th century, spermaceti, an oil produced by the sperm whale, was used to produce superior candles. Late in the 18 th century, colza oil and rapeseed oil came into use as much cheaper substitutes. • Paraffin was first distilled in 1830, and revolutionized candlemaking, as it was an inexpensive material which produced highquality, odorless candles that burned reasonably cleanly and were used during the colonial days. • In Christianity, candles are commonly used in worship both for decoration and ambiance, and as symbols that represent the light of God, or specifically the light of Christ. Candles are often placed on the altar. Votive candles may be lit as an accompaniment to prayer. • Candles were traditionally used to light up Christmas trees before the advent of electric lights.

The End…

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