Cylindrical Candles – the shape discovered by the ancients

🕯️ Cylindrical candles – the shape discovered by the ancients

Ever wonder why most candles are cylindrical? It’s not an accident or lazy manufacturing. The cylinder is simply the smartest candle shape—it burns the longest, barely drips, stands firmly, and uses almost all the wax. It took people centuries to figure this out. We know it well and make cylinders from tiny 5 cm pillars up to massive 25 cm giants as tall as a person.

A short (and genuinely interesting) history lesson

Picture a medieval monk in a monastery. All day he pours wax, testing shapes—pyramids, spheres, prisms. Everything either burns down too fast, tips over, or the wax runs off to the sides. Until one day he tries a cylinder. And boom—it burns evenly, stands like a rock, and lasts all night.

This isn’t a fairy tale. In the 13th century, candle‑making guilds officially recognized the cylinder as the “proper shape” for retail candles. Why? Because it produced the least waste during manufacturing (wax was expensive) and gave customers the most light for their money. That hasn’t changed.

What we can make for you

📏 Small cylinders (Ø 2,5–10 cm, height 7.5–20 cm)

Perfect for dinner tables, bathrooms, nightstands. Burn time 20–40 hours. Freestanding—no holder needed.

📐 Medium cylinders (Ø 10–15 cm, height 20–50 cm)

The living‑room classic. Handles a week of daily burning. A favorite of households and restaurants.

📏 Large cylinders (Ø 15–25 cm, height 50–100 cm)

A statement piece. Light it and everyone looks. Burns 200+ hours with ease. You’ll find them in hotel lobbies and churches.

🏗️ Giants (height 100–180 cm!)

At that point, it’s not a candle—it’s a sculpture. Made to order for weddings, exhibitions, film productions. We have a 150 cm, 45 kg pillar in storage—want to see a photo?

A real story from our workshop

Last winter, a priest from the Ore Mountains called. He needed a candle that would last through Midnight Mass and another full week. Regular candles burned out in one evening.

We made him a cylinder 10 cm in diameter and 60 cm tall. When he picked it up, he said, “That’s a cannon, not a candle!” Later he sent a photo from the church—the candle burned from Christmas Eve to Epiphany. Nonstop. He now orders three every year.

Why cylinders are best (physics made simple)

• Even burn—the flame stays centered, wax melts symmetrically
• Maximum stability—low center of gravity, wide base = no tipping
• Economical—up to 95% of wax is used (other shapes: ~70%)
• Universal—fits anywhere, from a romantic dinner to a cathedral concert
• Great value—efficient production = better price for you

Most popular choices

TOP 1: 10×20 cm cylinder, white or cream—universal for any home
TOP 2: 7×15 cm cylinder, red—for romance and Christmas
TOP 3: 15×30 cm cylinder, natural wax—for eco‑fans and minimalists
Special: 10×25 cm rainbow cylinder—for the bold

Frequently asked questions

How long does the biggest cylinder burn?
Our record: a 180 cm pillar that burned for 450 hours. That’s almost 19 days nonstop.

Will wax run onto the table?
If there’s no draft and the wick is trimmed, the wax stays inside. We still recommend a plate underneath.

Can I choose exact dimensions?
Absolutely. Say “13.7 × 28.3 cm” and we’ll make it. Custom production takes about a week.

Paraffin vs. soy?
Paraffin burns longer and costs less. Soy burns cleaner and is eco‑friendly. We make both.

Do you make relief cylinders?
Yes—on request. Relief pillars with mandalas, ornaments, or logos.

💡 Fun fact: The largest cylindrical candle ever measured 24 meters and burned for three months. We don’t go that big—but 180 cm is pretty respectable, right?

📞 Want a cylinder? Send size, color, quantity: +420 723 913 541 or info@svitsol.cz
Dozens of variants in stock; special requests made within a week.