Candle Maker © Marilyn Anderson. Linocut, 8″ x 10″
A candle maker in Jacaltenango turns a wheel and pours wax over the wicks as she revolves it. Candles can also be made using a mould and some, especially in Antigua Guatemala, are elaborately shaped and decorated. Artisan candle makers in Guatemala generally use bees wax and paraffin as their raw material but the arrayan tree in the tropical areas supplies a natural candle wax while encouraging preservation of forests. The use of candles for cultural, religious and practical purposes continues to have importance.