Looking for history of candlelight vigils

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the history of candlelight vigils, particularly their origins and significance, as well as the history of candlemaking. Participants express difficulty in finding comprehensive information on these topics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that candlelight vigils are often associated with religious gatherings, as candles were a primary source of light before electricity.
  • One participant mentions that oil lamps were used long before candles, indicating a broader context for lighting methods in historical vigils.
  • Another participant expresses frustration at the lack of information on the history of vigils, noting that their search for information on candle-making was part of a broader strategy.
  • A suggestion is made to contact the Chandler's Guild in London for historical insights, along with a link to their chronology.
  • Participants discuss a book by Philippe Ariès that examines the ritualization of death, which may provide relevant context for understanding vigils.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the historical origins of candlelight vigils, and multiple perspectives on the topic are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in available resources and express uncertainty about the historical connections between candlelight vigils and religious practices.

Newai
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Wikipedia has almost nothing on when this all started. Ditto for history of candle making.

Anyone know the history of this kind of vigil?
 
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You will probably find it most commonly in religious vigils. Since candles were a common manner of light at night before electricty or even gas, the only reference to them would be as gatherings at night. Perhaps torchlight ceremonies. But torchlight was common.
 
If you just want a history of candlemaking, I can probably find some articles on that, I used to have some. They used to have oil lamps long before candles.
 
Not so much candle-making, really. I only mentioned that because it was part of my search strategy. Odd that I can't find anything on the history of this kind of vigil. But where you mention religion, I'll try to find a religion forum and see if anyone knows.

Pray I avoid any proselytizing snowballs. o:)
 
Although this is more in the candle-making business than about vigils, I suggest you contact, for example, the Chandler's Guild in London. (It still exists).

The waxchandlers have their own website; here's a chronology from there:
http://www.waxchandlers.org.uk/origins/chronology-of-the-companys-history.php

Furthermore, at amazon.com, a history of the guild "The Wax Chandlers of London" is available from independent sources:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0850331005/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
Will do. Thank you.
 
The following 700-page book by the historian Philippe Arries, "The hour of our death", seems to be a study of the changing perceptions of death, how death has been ritualized, and so on.

Perhaps worth looking into?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0394751566/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
Last edited:
Nice find. I will look at that one. :smile:
 

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