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The word "chandelier" is beautiful on its own even if you do not know what a chandelier is. That is because it is originally from the French language. To be more exact, it is a direct transliteration from the 12 century French word "chandelier". That French word in turn can be traced back to Latin roots. The word Candela in Latin means candle. Candela is the root word of another Latin word, Chandelabre, from which Chandelier got its origins. Chandelier is a fitting name for the striking structure as it encompasses all of the debonair and awe.
The reason why many of the lamps in many chandeliers today are made to look like candles is because that was the source of light for the original chandeliers. The first chandeliers were simply wood fastened in a cross with spikes pointing out to hold the candles. You would have to go way back to medieval times to see examples of those primitive chandeliers. The first chandeliers were common in meeting places and were prized because they provided amble light.
As you move forward through the centuries you will see that the chandeliers became more and more refined until we have the elegant structures that we are so accustomed to today. In the 15th Century, chandeliers made noticeable changes as they moved away from the simple cross design and began to incorporate more complex designs such as the crown or ring. Back then, it cost a lot of money to keep a house illuminated after dark. So having a chandelier was proof that you were among the upper echelon in society.
In the 18th century, chandeliers continued to be improved. They would then feature long arms, a caste form, and a lot more candles. By the 19th century, gas replaced candles and chandeliers where given the humorous nickname "gasolier." With the advent of electricity and electric light, chandeliers would begin on their final evolution. With advances made in lightweight materials, chandeliers where no longer hampered with their heavy weight.
The world's largest crystal chandelier weighs an impressive 4.5 tons and has over 700 lamps. It was a gift from Queen Victoria and now resides in the Dolmabahce Palace. Chandeliers have been featured in movies, for example "The Phantom of the Opera". They are still a sign of wealth and posterity today. It would be hard pressed to find any luxury buildings today without a chandelier gracing the ceilings. However, recent new cheaper chandeliers have been produced that even the middle class can afford.
The Crown
Chandeliers have been around since the medieval times and they still mesmerize people till this day. Chandeliers have always represented more than just a means of light. From the bright lamps to the shiny arms, chandeliers are a sign of peace, affluence, and light. In a world filled with darkness, chandeliers are bright bacon of the ingenuity of man. They are more than just a light. They are a symbol. They are a crown.
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