| dle is a light source usually consisting of an internal | | | | Traditionally, votive candles were white and |
| wick which rises through the center of a column of | | | | unscented, associated with religious ceremonies. |
| solid fuel. Typically the fuel is some form of wax with | | | | Votive candles in red or clear glass holders are often |
| paraffin wax being the most common. | | | | found in Catholic churches at the feet of statues of |
| Prior to the candle being ignited, the wick is saturated | | | | worship. To light a votive is to make a prayer, usually |
| with the fuel in its solid form. The heat of the match | | | | for a specific purpose. |
| or other flame being used to light the candle first | | | | Today votive candles are sold for a variety of |
| melts and then vaporizes a small amount of the fuel. | | | | purposes and come in many colors, both scented and |
| Once vaporized, the fuel combines with oxygen in | | | | unscented. Their long-burning strong flames give off a |
| the atmosphere to form a flame. This flame then | | | | pleasant glow and votive glasses make the candles |
| provides sufficient heat to keep the candle burning | | | | fairly safe compared to taper or pillar candles that |
| via a self-sustaining chain of events: the heat of the | | | | can be knocked over. |
| flame melts the top of the mass of solid fuel, the | | | | Many people enjoy burning scented votive candles |
| liquified fuel then moves upward through the wick via | | | | while taking a leisurely bath, or using several to light |
| capillary action, and the liquified fuel is then vaporized | | | | up a room with golden ambience. Most votive candles |
| to burn within the candle's flame. | | | | burn between 5 – 8 hours or more. |
| The burning of the fuel takes place in several distinct | | | | Votive candles are made from paraffin or wax, but |
| regions (as evidenced by the various colors that can | | | | there are different grades of paraffin with different |
| be seen within the candle's flame). Within the bluer, | | | | melting points. Often paraffin is mixed with other |
| hotter regions, hydrogen is being separated from the | | | | types of waxes like beeswax or vegetable wax. This |
| fuel and burned to form water vapor. The brighter, | | | | is done to obtain the rigidity necessary for the type |
| yellower part of the flame is the remaining carbon | | | | of candle being made. |
| soot being oxidized to form carbon dioxide. | | | | Depending on the quality of wax used, a candle may |
| As the mass of the solid fuel is melted and | | | | burn very fast or very slow. It may have a low |
| consumed, the candle grows shorter. Portions of the | | | | melting point and produce little to no oil, such as a |
| wick that are not evaporating the liquid fuel are | | | | taper candle that sits in a candle holder |
| themselves consumed in the flame, limiting the | | | | “ring,” or it may have a very low |
| exposed length of the wick. | | | | melting point and turn to oil, as with votives that sit |
| Candles made of beeswax are used in the Orthodox | | | | in glass cups. Pillar candles, large candles often with |
| Church as a form of sacrifice and devotion to God or | | | | multiple wicks, have their own formula. Candle quality |
| Saints. They are used in various Orthodox services | | | | also varies widely depending on the candle maker. |
| and ceremonies and are symbolic of Christ, who is | | | | Aside from birthday candles, the only |
| "the Light of the World." According to a different | | | | “official” category of candles smaller |
| symbolism, the two elements of a candle represent | | | | than votive candles are tealight candles. These |
| the two natures of Christ: the Divine (the burning | | | | candles, about 1.5 inches (4cm) high and 1 inch (3cm) |
| wick) and the Human (the wax body). | | | | in diameter come in their own little tin cups and |
| Candles in all shapes, sizes and colors are suggestive | | | | normally burn about 5 hours. Like votive candles they |
| of love. Candles symbolize the Light of Christ. They | | | | also turn to oil when burning and do not leave behind |
| are carried in procession; they are lit when we pray | | | | melted wax, but burn away clean. |
| both at home and in Church. The most frequent | | | | Votive candles can be purchased virtually anywhere |
| cause of residence hall fires, are candles and other | | | | from the grocery store to import emporiums. They |
| open flames. Candles, of any sort, including | | | | are handy to have on hand in case of a power |
| decorative or religious ones are prohibited in the halls | | | | outage because they burn slowly and flames are |
| (this includes candles with the wick removed). | | | | protected by their glass holders. However, when a |
| Incense, oil lamps, alcohol lamps and open flame | | | | votive candle is burning, the glass cup gets very hot |
| burners are also prohibited in the halls. | | | | and can easily burn a bare hand. If the hot oil should |
| Votive candles are small cylindrical candles about 2.5 | | | | spill it could cause severe burning. Therefore votive |
| inches (6cm) in height and 1.5 inches (4cm) in | | | | candles are best left to sit in place once lit. A scented |
| diameter. They melt into oil when lit, which requires | | | | votive can add not only a nice glow, but a wonderful |
| them be burned in small glasses or cups made for | | | | aroma to any home. |
| this purpose. | | | | |