Candles are a lot like snowflakes (or people, for that matter)–they come in all shapes, sizes and colors. There are, however, some common candle types that every candle collector, enthusiast or fan should know about.

Tapers
Tapes are long, slender candles. They are typically six to 18 inches high and often found on tables in restaurants and homes. Candle holders keep them steady.

Pillars
Pillars (my favorites) are free-standing candles, usually at least three inches in diameter, and often have more than one wick. They are made in a variety of shapes including round, square and hexagonal. They are free standing, but they also must be burned on a heat-resistant candle holder.
  
Container, Jar or Filled
These are candles that, during manufacturing, are poured directly into a glass, metal or ceramic container specifically designed to hold the wax and withstand the heat of the burning candle. 

Votives
These small, cylindrical candles, are typically about 1½ inches in diameter and 2 or 2½ inches high. They are made to fit in a “cup” or votive holder, and are often used for religious ceremonies. 
 
Gel 
Gel candles are transparent and made primarily from gelled mineral oils or gelled synthetic hydrocarbons. “Soft” (or quasi-rigid) gels are poured into a container to maintain the candle’s shape. “Hard” gel candles are able to stand on their own.

Tealights
Tealigh candles are small, cylindrical, filled candles, usually about 1 inch in diameter and 1½ inches high, typically poured into a metal holder.  

Luminarias
These outdoor candles are made by placing a 15-hour votive in a light-diffusing container filled with sand.

Specialty
These are the catch-all category of any unusually shaped or sculpted free-standing candles, often used as decorative artwork, and sometimes called novelty candles.

Birthday
Birthday candles are typically two inches long, have a very small circumference, and often are found on the tops of cakes and cupcakes.

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