Christmas is associated with a lot of customs as well as traditions, and each of the customs has their own history to tell. Similarly the Christmas candles have a history of their own. The History of Christmas candles dates back to the 16th century.
The History of Christmas candles is linked with the Saturnalia festival (a festival of the Romans), because during this festival tall papers of wax were offered to Saturn (an angel of God), as candles were regarded to be symbolic of the light of Saturn. It is interesting to note that the Romans greeted each other during the Saturnalia festival with these tall papers of wax.
With the spread of Christianity, the custom of placing candles beside the window gained people's acceptance. The Irish people believed that if a candle is placed near a window then the light emerging from the candle would be able to guide the Christ Child who on the eve of Christmas wandered from house to house. It is the people of Europe who have kept this tradition alive.
In the Victorian period candles came to be placed on the Christmas tree as it was considered to be the symbol of the Star, which guided the three wise men to the dwelling place of Jesus. Candles that were used to decorate the tree were actually glued with the help of melted wax or attached by pins to the branch of a Christmas tree. Candleholders for Christmas candles came to be used only in the year 1890 whereas glass balls and small lanterns were used between 1902AD and 1904AD. Learn more about the history of Christmas candles on Christmas Carnivals.
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