Why candles still shine bright in a high-tech world: A journey through time, luxury and light

In a world where technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, it’s easy to imagine that candles might have already flickered out.

After all, we’re surrounded by electric lighting, voice-activated smart bulbs, and even LED candles that never melt.

Yet, despite all this innovation, the candle industry continues to thrive—growing more radiant with each passing year.

Why, then, have we not bid goodbye to something as ancient as fire on a wick? 

The answer is simple: candles offer a richness and allure that no gadget, no matter how advanced, could ever replicate. 

They create an ambiance, stir emotion, and link us to a timeless history in a way that no modern LED can.

Let’s take a journey through the past, present, and future of candles, uncovering why these humble flames remain an enduring luxury, destined to burn bright for years to come.

A Brief History of Candles: From Necessity to Opulence.

Candles have a history that spans millennia, with their earliest iterations dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome.

In those days, they weren’t merely a tool for ambiance—they were essential sources of light, crafted from tallow (animal fat) or beeswax.

As centuries passed, beeswax became the preferred material for the wealthy, while tallow was relegated to the masses, often leaving rooms smoky and fragrant in all the wrong ways.

Fast forward to the 19th century, and the advent of stearin and paraffin wax ushered in a new era of accessible candles. 

However, when Thomas Edison’s lightbulb illuminated the world in the late 1800s, many predicted the demise of the humble candle. But here’s the twist: they didn’t vanish. They evolved.

How Candles Survived the Lightbulb

While electricity certainly made lighting a room more efficient and safe, it was never about the practicality of candles. It was always about the experience.

Even as technology surged forward, candles held their ground as symbols of warmth, intimacy, and tradition.

Birthdays would lose their charm without a candlelit wish. Romantic evenings wouldn’t hold the same allure without the soft flicker of light. And no power outage can truly feel complete without the comfort of a trusty candle to guide the way.

Rather than becoming obsolete, candles underwent a beautiful  transformation. They shed their utilitarian skin and blossomed into a symbol of luxury, self-care, and indulgence.

What was once a humble necessity became a ritual of relaxation — a moment of escape that no glowing screen could ever replace.

In the dance between technology and tradition, candles have not only survived—they’ve flourished, continuing to captivate the senses and enrich our lives in ways only a flame can. So, while the future may be filled with gadgets, one thing remains certain:

 The allure of a candle will never be extinguished.