Incense and joss offerings in a temple altar at the Wat Neramit Wipattasama (วัดป่าเนรมิตวิปัสสนา อ.ด่านซ้าย จ.เลย) in Dan Sai district, Loei Province, Thailand

Incense and joss offerings in a temple altar at the Wat Neramit Wipattasama (วัดป่าเนรมิตวิปัสสนา อ.ด่านซ้าย จ.เลย) in Dan Sai district, Loei Province, Thailand in June 2016

A candelabra (menorah) at a house in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa

A candelabra (menorah) at a house in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa in February 2015

Candlesticks and bowls at a house in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa

Candlesticks and bowls at a house in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa in February 2015

Brain candles for sale in a shop in North Fitzroy, Melbourne

Brain candles for sale in a shop in North Fitzroy, Melbourne in November 2016

Happy birthday cake

Birthday cake at Nois birthday party in Canberra in September 2015

A candle at a confirmation at a church in Canberra

A candle at a confirmation at a church in Canberra in July 2010

A religious shrine in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

A religious shrine in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia in September 2012

A candle in a Thai temple in Penang, Malaysia

A candle in a Thai temple in Penang, Malaysia in September 2012

Loy Kratong candles seen in a Thai temple in Penang, Malaysia

Loy Kratong candles seen in a Thai temple in Penang, Malaysia in September 2012

Temple candle

Candle burning at Doi Suthep temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand in September 2012

Temple candles

A candle at Doi Suthep temple, Chiang Mai, September 2012

Doi Suthep candle

Flame at Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand in September 2012

White flame

A flame from a candle in a restaurant in Hobart, Tasmania in May 2013

Religious candles

Candles at Doi Suthep temple outside Chiang Mai, Thailand in September 2012

Buddha candle

A candle and a Buddha at Doi Suthep temple outside Chiang Mai, Thailand in September 2012

Birthday cake

Cake for a birthday party at Burrill Lakes, NSW in March 2013

Shrine candles

Candles at a shrine at Saingam Park, Phimai, Thailand in December 2009

Candle in a glass

A candle in a glass photographed at night in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia in June 2011

Glass bottle and candle

A glass bottle and a candle in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia in June 2011

Thai temple ritual

Spooning oil into a metal lotus bowl in order to prolong life at the Doi Suthep temple outside Chiang Mai, Thailand, in June 2011