Candles, important ritual artefacts, are symbols of light and signify the presence of the divine as the light of the world, bringing spiritual enlightenment and wisdom. According to liturgical manuals and Christian symbolism, bees conceive by mouth, copulate through their chaste body and are not moved by desire, they keep virginity and remain immaculate as they give birth to children but know no male sex. The wick of the candle represents the soul of Christ who consumed and spent his life for humanity, and the flame is the power and radiance of his divinity (St. John 8, 12). This is why candles were highly significant in civil, but especially in religious ceremonies. The burning and melting of wax in the form of candles causes a particular odour: that of consumed wax.

Wax: An expensive material

The production of wax for candles required a scarce and expensive raw material: beeswax. This is why large quantities of candles were only used at important events. They were synonymous with wealth and prestige.

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