The candle is a very old invention, and it had served humanity well through all of those dark centuries that predated electricity; making them a little less dark. Over the years, the basic design has not changed much, but all sorts of innovations and special applications have been developed, such as tea light candles. Essentially, any candle is a block of hardened wax with a wick embedded in it. Wax in the candle serves as a source of slow burning fuel. Initially people used beeswax; nowadays, most candles are made of paraffin. Still, beeswax is an excellent natural material for candles.
Since Mr. Edison introduced his first light bulb, the lighting abilities of candles quickly became obsolete, and it was then that candle makers, or chandlers, started perfecting their decorative aspects. People are still very much attracted to live fire, and when properly handled, it creates a unique feeling of security, coziness and romance. The best decorative candles do just that, adding design and often scent to the overall effect. Some pillar candles, for example, come skillfully hand-carved; floating candles often come scented to release special aromatic oils while burning. A pillar candle also needs a place to be mounted, creating a use for a decorative candle holder; which can be an artful accent in any living room or on any kitchen furniture.
Another type of floating candle is the so-called tea light candle. Tea light candles, or tealights, are small candles, usually round, arranged in a metal cup with the wick ordinarily attached to the bottom. When tealight candles burn, the wax in the cup generally melts completely; that is where a metal cup with a candle wick attached to the bottom becomes handy. Metal cups come in a variety of designs and shapes, some of them even patented.
Tea light candles are usually inexpensive, and sold in packages of several dozens. They are often used as a heating source: to heat fondue, or keep food trays or tea warm (hence the name), or heat scented oil in oil diffusers. Tealights can also serve as accent lights or light assemblies, used with design holders, usually glass, ceramic, wire or porcelain. They also serve as votive candles. Set in holder cups, they can be used as floating candles.
Tealight candles create significant amounts of heat and can be a fire hazard if not handled properly. It is worthwhile to remember that the metal cup of a tealight candle may be very hot and can potentially burn into the surface on which it is set.