Candle Origins and Cultures

A Montessori Geography Exploration

Name:

Date:

📋 Direction Card

How to use this material:

1. Read each section carefully before writing anything.

2. Work through each part in order — Part 1, then Part 2, then Part 3.

3. Use a pencil so you can make corrections.

4. When you are finished, use the Control of Error Card (found at the back of this folder) to check your own work.

5. If you find a mistake, erase and try again — mistakes help us learn!

🕯️ Remember: Candles have been part of human life for thousands of years. As you work, think about the people around the world who have used candles in their daily lives.

🌍 Part 1: Where Do Candles Come From?

Read the clues below. Match each candle material to the region where it was first commonly used. Draw a line to connect each item.

Beeswax candles

Tallow (animal fat) candles

Rice paper wax candles

Bayberry wax candles

Paraffin wax candles

Ancient Europe and Egypt

North America (Indigenous peoples)

Ancient China and Japan

Medieval Europe

19th century — worldwide industrial use

1. Which candle material do you think was the most important historically? Circle your answer and explain why.

Beeswax

Tallow

Bayberry wax

Paraffin wax

2. Check ALL the materials that come from natural (non-petroleum) sources:

Beeswax

Paraffin wax

Tallow (animal fat)

Bayberry wax

Soy wax

🗺️ Part 2: Candles on the World Map

Look at the world map provided with this material. Label or colour the regions as directed below.

3. On your world map, find and label these four regions where candle-making has important historical roots. Write the number beside each region on the map:

1 — Egypt (Africa) — one of the earliest known uses of rush candles, around 3,000 BCE

2 — China (Asia) — used whale fat and rice paper wicks as early as 200 BCE

3 — Europe — Romans dipped rolled papyrus in tallow to create candles

4 — North America — Indigenous peoples used oolichan fish oil and bayberries

4. Which continent is NOT listed above as an early candle-making region?

Africa

South America

Asia

Europe

5. Why do you think candle-making developed in so many different parts of the world independently? Write 1–2 sentences.

🕯️ Part 3: Candles in World Cultures

Candles are used in celebrations, ceremonies, and daily life around the world. Read each description and write the name of the culture or celebration it describes.

6. This Hindu festival is called the "Festival of Lights." Clay oil lamps and candles are lit to symbolise the victory of light over darkness. It is celebrated across India and around the world.