A candle carousel spins around like an electricity-powered carousel, or merry-go-round, that you might have ridden at an amusement park. But a candle carousel is much smaller - some can fit in the palm of your hand - and it is powered by heat from candles. Figure 1 shows an example of a candle carousel.

They comprise a decorated pyramidal outer frame with candle holders and a central carousel with a rotor at the top which is driven by warm air from the lit candles.

It is from the construction of a windmill that the concept of a candle pyramid, where a fan propels lightweight wooden tiers to move, came into being. Often in a candle pyramid, the center of the tier in the larger levels will be stationary, containing a central figure (ex: the Christ child).

The 26-foot carousel-like structure is called a Weihnachtspyramide, or Christmas Pyramid. These wooden pyramids are a traditional German decoration dating back to the 16th century. It is an art form that many believe evolved into our current custom of a Christmas tree.

The data indicates that heat does rise, expand, and have an effect on fan blades that are sitting directly above it. Conclusion: The experiment appeared to work well and support my hypothesis that when candles heat the air, the air will expand, rise, and cause the fan blades to turn.

German holiday pyramids were invented in the early 1800s, long before the invention of electricity. Instead, these clever decorations rely on the candles heating up the air above, which then pushes up against the blades of the wheel above.

Sometimes called "carousel pyramids" or "windmill Pyramids," all feature the typical Erzgebirge design of a diorama on a carousel, which is turned when the candles' heat rises to meet the windmill blades.

Christmas Candles One of the earliest records of candles being used at Christmas is from the middle ages, where a large candle was used to represent the star of Bethlehem. Jesus is sometimes called 'the Light of the World' by Christians. This might have started the custom of the Advent Crown and Advent Candles.

The first Christmas lights were candles. The practice of placing lit candles on Christmas trees dates to at least 1660 in Germany. Placing candles in windows may have originated with early American colonists. Whatever their origin, candles placed in windows and on trees became a widespread tradition.

Oldest predecessor of carousels comes from 6th century Byzantium. People then made rides from baskets that were tied to a pole in the center and that would carry the riders. But real inspiration for modern carousels were cavalry games and jousting of 12th century Europe and Asia.

Candles have been used as a source of light and to illuminate celebrations for more than 5,000 years, yet little is known about their origin. The earliest use of candles is often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat.

Because twice as much oxygen is burned than carbon dioxide released, the air volume decreases. The physical aspect: the candle heats the air and expands it. This cancels the depletion of the oxygen temporarily and the water level stays down. When the oxygen is depleted, the candle goes out and the air cools.

The concept was developed way back in the 12th century by knights who wanted to hone their agility and jousting skills. After mounting their horses, the knights would form a circle and gallop while simultaneously tossing a ball back and forth. This game was referred to as the little battle or carousel.

By lighting candles during Christmas eve, this represents the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi to the manger where baby Jesus was born. Another set of Christians consider Jesus as the “light of the world,“ and they light candles during Christmas to celebrate the birth of the “light of the world;” Jesus.