The History and Usage of Sealing Wax in Communication

Wax has served as an extra layer of protection for centuries, ensuring the privacy and integrity of important correspondence. Today, few people use this method, but in a time when envelopes were not invented, sealing wax was a crucial tool to prevent tampering and secure official documents.

Ancient Methods of Protecting Letters

Back before the invention of envelopes, a way to seal a letter essentially prevented anyone with prying eyes from reading its contents. To create a seal, people used to heat up a metallic instrument stamped with their initials or family crest, then press it into hot wax. A lit candle was often used to heat the instrument. This process kept the content of the letter private until the seal was broken, a term still in use today to signify confidentiality.

A Common Misconception

As a child, I fell into a common misunderstanding: believing that "ceiling wax" was the opposite of "floor wax." This reveals the fading use of sealing wax, which has become a historical novelty rather than a regular household item.

Mechanics of Using Sealing Wax

To ensure the privacy and integrity of a letter, sealing wax was typically used as follows: hot wax was placed at the sealing edge of the envelope, and then an impression of the sender's seal ring (a personal signature equivalent in the form of a design) was pressed into it. If the seal was broken, it indicated that the letter had been tampered with, as only the sender could reseal it with their unique ring design.

Motivation for Detailed Writing

Sealing wax required a certain effort to apply, which might have encouraged the writers to put more thought into their letters rather than just jotting down their thoughts on social media or phone calls. In an era before pre-glued envelopes, sealing wax was also used to close the envelope flap, ensuring no one could open it without breaking the seal. These days, pre-glued envelopes are standard, but using sealing wax adds both security and an elegant appearance.

Security and Aesthetics

The use of sealing wax not only provided an extra layer of security but also added a touch of elegance to the correspondence. While it might seem like an outdated practice today, it once played a significant role in maintaining the confidentiality and sanctity of letters and documents. The CIA and similar organizations can handle modern security measures, but using sealing wax can be a nice touch to preserve the charm of traditional communication methods. Given today's digital age, perhaps it's worth using sealing wax occasionally to emphasize the importance of the message you are sending.