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Reprint Article Code

Category: Articles » Arts & Entertainment » Arts » Article » Article Code

Know Much more about Candles

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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 with 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 
flame. 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.

Candles made of beeswax are used in the Orthodox 
Church as a form of sacrifice and devotion to God or 
Saints. They are used in various Orthodox services and 
ceremonies and are symbolic of Christ, who is "the Light of 
the World." According to a different symbolism, the two 
elements of a candle represent the two natures of Christ: 
the Divine (the burning wick) and the Human (the wax 
body).

Candles in all shapes, sizes and colors are suggestive of 
love. Candles symbolize the Light of Christ. They are 
carried in procession; they are lit when we pray both at 
home and in Church. The most frequent cause of 
residence hall fires, are candles and other open flames. 
Candles, of any sort, including decorative or religious ones 
are prohibited in the halls (this includes candles with the 
wick removed). Incense, oil lamps, alcohol lamps and 
open flame burners are also prohibited in the halls.

Votive candles are small cylindrical candles about 2.5 
inches (6cm) in height and 1.5 inches (4cm) in diameter. 
They melt into oil when lit, which requires them be burned 
in small glasses or cups made for this purpose.
Traditionally, votive candles were white and unscented, 
associated with religious ceremonies. Votive candles in 
red or clear glass holders are often found in Catholic 
churches at the feet of statues of worship. To light a votive 
is to make a prayer, usually for a specific purpose.
Today votive candles are sold for a variety of purposes and 
come in many colors, both scented and unscented. Their 
long-burning strong flames give off a pleasant glow and 
votive glasses make the candles fairly safe compared to 
taper or pillar candles that can be knocked over. 
Many people enjoy burning scented votive candles while 
taking a leisurely bath, or using several to light up a room 
with golden ambience. Most votive candles burn between 
5 ¨C 8 hours or more. 
Votive candles are made from paraffin or wax, but there 
are different grades of paraffin with different melting points. 
Often paraffin is mixed with other types of waxes like 
beeswax or vegetable wax. This is done to obtain the 
rigidity necessary for the type of candle being made. 
Depending on the quality of wax used, a candle may burn 
very fast or very slow. It may have a low melting point and 
produce little to no oil, such as a taper candle that sits in a 
candle holder ¡°ring,¡± or it may have a very low melting 
point and turn to oil, as with votives that sit in glass cups. 
Pillar candles, large candles often with multiple wicks, 
have their own formula. Candle quality also varies widely 
depending on the candle maker.
Aside from birthday candles, the only ¡°official¡± category of 
candles smaller than votive candles are tealight candles. 
These candles, about 1.5 inches (4cm) high and 1 inch 
(3cm) in diameter come in their own little tin cups and 
normally burn about 5 hours. Like votive candles they also 
turn to oil when burning and do not leave behind melted 
wax, but burn away clean.
Votive candles can be purchased virtually anywhere from 
the grocery store to import emporiums. They are handy to 
have on hand in case of a power outage because they 
burn slowly and flames are protected by their glass 
holders. However, when a votive candle is burning, the 
glass cup gets very hot and can easily burn a bare hand. If 
the hot oil should spill it could cause severe burning. 
Therefore votive candles are best left to sit in place once lit. 
A scented votive can add not only a nice glow, but a 
wonderful aroma to any home.

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