Candles And Ming Dynasty Society

Candles played an important role in ancient society and were closely related to people’s life.Ming Dynasty is the key period for the development of ancient Chinese candle industry.There are many kinds of candles,exquisite candle making techniques,and the expansion of candle groups,which are closely related to economic,social activities,science and technology and culture.There are many kinds of candle in Ming Dynasty,which can be divided into animal oil candle,vegetable oil candle and mixed oil candle according to the material.Animal fat candle is mainly honey candle,insect white candle,tallow candle,lanolin candle and fish fat candle.Vegetable oil candle is mainly tallow oil candle.Mixed oil candle was the most popular candle in Ming Dynasty.There are two main methods of candle making in Ming Dynasty,one is the method of filling fat with mould,the other is the method of pouring candle without mould.Candle is closely related to the economic development of Ming Dynasty.In Ming Dynasty,bee and wax insect breeding industry flourished,oil planting industry and candle wholesale trade flourished.The consumption of candles in Ming Dynasty expanded greatly,and the use of candles spread to the common people.Especially in the middle and late Ming Dynasty,the consumption of candles in Imperial Palace and folk reached the peak.Due to the development of candle industry and social productivity in Ming Dynasty,the phenomenon of local tribute to the central government in Tang and Song Dynasty no longer exists,which shows the maturity of court candle industry in Ming Dynasty and the convenience of collecting candle instead of tax in Ming Dynasty.The use of candles is very important in the social activities of Ming Dynasty.Candle is the main lighting equipment of Ming Dynasty imperial examination.The change of the number and way of candle used by examinees witnessed the perfection of Ming Dynasty imperial examination system.In Ming Dynasty,candles were frequently used in various ceremonial activities.The number and method of candles used in different occasions were different.There are three kinds of activities of giving candles in Ming Court: Cheng Cizhu,Dien Li Cizhu and Shuji Shi Cizhu banknotes.Their political implication is weaker than that in Song Dynasty.Candle is also a necessary object in the military city defense and military guard area of Ming Dynasty.In the Ming Dynasty,the folk sacrifice and the wedding and funeral activitie s were inseparable from the use of candles.Candle is closely related to science and technology culture of Ming Dynasty.Candle has been widely used in Ming Dynasty medical treatment,its main treatment is sores,mostly according to the medical value of candle raw materials.Candle occupies a place in the literary creation of Ming Dynasty.The description of candle in Ming novels is delicate.The image of candle in Ming poetry inherits Tang and Song dynasties.The image of candle in Ming folk songs mostly compares the feelings of men and women,reflecting the prosperity of Ming Dynasty and candle related literature.In Ming Dynasty,the candlestick and candlelight lanterns were skillful and exquisite,which highlighted the development of the art related to candles in Ming Dynasty.