Candle making was developed independently in many places throughout history. Dipped candles made from tallow were made by the Romans beginning about 500 BCE. Evidence for candles made from whale fat in China dates back to the Qin Dynasty. In India, wax from boiling cinnamon was used for temple candles
Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining. Candles can also be made from microcrystalline wax, beeswax (a byproduct of honey collection), gel (a mixture of polymer and mineral oil), or some plant waxes (generally palm, carnauba, bayberry, or soybean wax)