<P> Votive candles are made from different types of waxes including paraffin, soy wax or beeswax . There are different grades of wax with different melting points . Paraffin is often mixed with other types of waxes, such as beeswax or vegetable wax . This is done to obtain the rigidity necessary for the type of candle being made . The speed at which the candle burns depends on the composition of the wax . A taper candle that sits in a ring - shaped candle holder may have a low melting point and produce little to no oil, whereas a votive candle set in a glass cup may have a very low melting point and turn to oil . Pillar candles, large candles often with multiple wicks, have their own formula . Soy jar candles tend to have a lower melting point than pillars and votive candles . Candle quality also varies widely depending on the candle maker . The aroma of a lighted scented candle is released through the evaporation of the fragrance from the hot wax pool and from the solid candle itself . </P> <P> Lead wicks are unlikely to be found in any candle sold in the U.S. today: lead - core wicks have been banned from the U.S. since 2003, and members of the National Candle Association--which account for more than 90% of candles made in the U.S.--have not used lead wicks for more than 30 years . Reputable manufacturers use cotton, cotton - paper, zinc - core or tin - core wicks, all of which are known to be safe . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> Votive candles on a Christian home altar surrounding a crucifix in crystal </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Madonna and Child with a votive candle rack and prie - dieu in a Methodist church </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Portuguese votive candles in the shape of afflicted body parts </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Hand - poured blue votive candles </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Hand - poured green votive candles </P> </Li> <Li> <P> A child lighting a votive candle at the Catholic Christian Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Votive candles at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Automatic votive candles </P> </Li> </Ul> <Li> <P> Votive candles on a Christian home altar surrounding a crucifix in crystal </P> </Li>

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