The
New Year's Tradition
Bayberry
candles and the traditions thereof go back to the earliest settlers of
the American colonies. The settlers were in need of everything imaginable,
especially lighting. In their quest for waxes, oils and anything that
would sustain a flame, they came upon the bayberry shrub. Its berry-type
fruit is crusted with a greenish-white wax. The settlers found that by
boiling the fruit, it created a wax residue on the top of the water. The
wax had a fragrant aroma and was much harder and more brittle than beeswax
of which they were already familiar. In order to get enough wax to make
just one bayberry candle, many bayberry fruits had to be boiled. The settlers
learned that the bayberry candles were worth the extra effort because
they burnt longer, cleaner and with a brighter light than did the traditional
candles of the time. Due to the amount of work necessary to create just
one bayberry candle, they were saved and burned on special occasions only!
One such special occasion was New Year's Day (evening/night). Over the
years, the burning of bayberry candles on New Year's became a tradition.
Along with the tradition, a saying was created by whom, no one knows,
which still continues today. The saying is "Bayberry candles burned
to the socket, bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket!"
Keep the tradition alive by burning a bayberry candle during the holidays,
or better yet, give one to a close friend so they can learn about and
enjoy this American tradition. |
