Candles

light · history · fire

Ancient light source. Candles have been used by people around the world for more than two thousand years, making them one of the oldest ways humans invented to see in the dark.

Wax and tallow. Candles are made from wax or tallow (rendered animal fat) with a wick inside that you light to create flame, heat, and light.

Before electric lights. Before electricity was invented, candles were the main way people lit their homes and buildings at night.

Still used today. Even though we have electric lights now, people still use candles for birthdays, religious ceremonies, decoration, and to make their homes smell nice.

Telling time. Long ago, people even used candles to measure how much time had passed by watching how much of the candle burned down.