In addition to the fact that candlelight, although fragile, also played a very important role in the Qing Dynasty. It not only illuminates the way but also has many cultural and spiritual meanings.
In the past, when there was no electric light, candles and kerosene lamps were the source of light for men to read books and girls to embroider. It even affects the exam.
Picture on the left: woman doing embroidery under a candle, in a romantic setting. Picture on the right: the girl has just gracefully extinguished the candle with two fingers. Two Qing Dynasty paintings.
Legend has it that in the Ming and Qing dynasties, there was a place called Gongyuan in Beijing that held examinations. This exam is generally very strict, only those who are both good and from good backgrounds can participate. The exam takes place at 9 nights. Each session begins when the candle is lit. By the time the third candle has just burned out, it’s time to do the homework.
Candles (along with incense) are also present on ancestral altars, sacrifices to heaven and other important Qing rituals. Among them is the worshiping ceremony of Shamanism – an ancient belief of the Northern tribes, which was still handed down during the Qing Dynasty.
Shaman during the Qing Dynasty (left) and today.
According to Shamanism, in the Forbidden City every day, three offerings are regularly performed at the three most sacred moments. These are at dawn (called chaoji), sunset (xiji) and at midnight – right after blowing out the candles (beidingji).
Therefore, it is common sense to go to the altar to light a lamp and then blow it out at midnight, in the Qing Dynasty harem in the past, which is common sense and is still appreciated .
Candlestick made of glass during the Qianlong period. At this stage, Chinese carving techniques on rubies and glass reached a very sophisticated level.