Candle making is one of the oldest crafts in the world, and it has been practiced in different ways by different civilisations. According to Wikipedia, the earliest use of candles is often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. However, these were not true candles, as they had no wick. The ancient Romans are credited with developing the wicked candle by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. The resulting candles were used to light their homes, to aid travelers at night, and in religious ceremonies.

In Lebanon, candle making has a long and proud history that reflects our religious diversity and artistic creativity. Lebanon is home to many different religious groups, such as Christians, Muslims, Druze, and others, who have coexisted peacefully for centuries. Each of these groups has its own rituals and celebrations that involve candles, such as Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura, and more. Candles are also used for weddings, funerals, birthdays, and other occasions.

Lebanese candle makers use various materials and techniques to create candles that are unique and beautiful. Some of the most common materials are beeswax, paraffin wax, soy wax, palm wax, and gel wax. Some candle makers also add natural or synthetic fragrances, colours, herbs, spices, flowers, crystals, or other decorations to enhance the appearance and aroma of their candles. Some of the most popular scents are rose, jasmine, lavender, cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense, myrrh, and cinnamon.

One of the most distinctive features of Lebanese candles is their shape and design. Lebanese candle makers use different moluds and tools to create candles that are round, square, rectangular, oval, star-shaped, heart-shaped, flower-shaped, animal-shaped, or any other shape imaginable. Some candle makers also carve or sculpt their candles by hand or use a knife or a heated metal rod to create patterns or images on the surface of the candles. Some of the most common motifs are religious symbols, geometric patterns, Arabic calligraphy, landscapes, portraits, or scenes from Lebanese history or culture.

One of the most famous examples of Lebanese candle making is the company Noura Candles (نورا شموع), which was founded in 1963 by Noura Kassab (نورا قصاب), a pioneer woman entrepreneur who started her business from her home kitchen. Noura Candles is known for its high-quality products and its social responsibility. The company employs more than 100 women from different backgrounds and provides them with training and empowerment. The company also supports various charitable causes and environmental initiatives. Noura Candles produces a wide range of candles for different purposes and occasions. Some of their best-selling products are their scented pillar candles (شموع عمودية معطرة), their decorative votive candles (شموع صغيرة زينة), their floating candles (شموع عائمة), and their personalised candles (شموع شخصية).

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and learned something new about candle making in Lebanon. Candle making is not only a craft but also an art form that expresses our culture and values. Candles are not only a source of light but also a symbol of hope and joy. If you ever visit Lebanon or have a chance to buy Lebanese candles online or from a local store near you, I encourage you to try them out and experience their beauty and warmth for yourself.