At Beeswax Bay Farm, we often say our bees are more than just busy - they're historic. These little winged wonders have buzzed their way through the annals of civilisation, leaving their sticky golden mark in religion, medicine, folklore, and even warfare (yes, really). Today, we're lifting the hive lid on just how significant bees and honey have been to humanity over the centuries.
So, pour yourself a cuppa (with a spoon of honey, naturally), settle in, and prepare for a sweet little time-travel through bee history.
Long before supermarkets stocked plastic bears filled with honey, ancient Egyptians were making offerings of honey to their deities. Honey was found in tombs, used in mummification, and even believed to be the tears of Ra, the sun god. Imagine that - divine drizzle on your morning toast.
✔ Egyptians used honey in rituals, embalming, and healing
✔ Greeks believed honey was food for the gods – "nectar of the gods", to be exact
✔ Romans used it in medicines, wine, and battlefield balms
Fun fact: Archaeologists discovered pots of honey in Egyptian tombs that were still perfectly edible - proving yet again that honey is the original non-expiring pantry staple. You can read more on HistoryFacts.com
Bees have buzzed their way into religious and spiritual symbolism across the globe. In Christianity, the bee became a symbol of purity and industriousness. Monasteries kept bees not just for wax and honey, but because their quiet, diligent nature was seen as a holy reflection of monastic life.
✔ In Hinduism, honey appears in sacred rituals as one of the five elixirs of immortality
✔ In Islam, bees are praised in the Qur’an for their healing honey
✔ In Christianity, beeswax candles were essential in worship, symbolising Christ’s pure, natural light
And let’s not forget the famous quote from Saint John Chrysostom, who called bees "an image of the church"—structured, united, and purposeful. (We like to think our bees would be flattered.)
Your nan wasn’t wrong - honey is good for a sore throat. For millennia, it’s been used to treat wounds, ease coughs, and boost the immune system. Traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, medieval herbalism… honey features heavily in them all.
✔ Natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
✔ Used in poultices, salves, and elixirs
✔ Believed to balance bodily humours (and your actual humour if you're hangry)
And in the good old British countryside? A spoonful of local honey is still the go-to remedy for hay fever and the blues.
Did you know Napoleon used bees on his imperial crest? He chose them as symbols of unity, regeneration, and hard work. (Plus, they look rather regal, don’t they?)
✔ Napoleon’s bees replaced the fleurs-de-lis of the monarchy
✔ Celtic tribes saw bees as messengers between worlds
✔ Medieval heraldry often used bee imagery to represent loyalty and productivity
Even today, bees are used by organisations and movements that value cooperation, industriousness, and sustainability. From the Freemasons to urban eco-activists, the bee reigns supreme.
Of course, here at Beeswax Bay Farm, we have a special fondness for beeswax. And we’re not alone - civilisations across history loved the stuff. From candle-lit chapels to royal courts, beeswax was treasured for its clean, slow-burning light.
✔ Medieval churches used beeswax candles in all sacred ceremonies
✔ Victorians prized beeswax polish for their furniture and boots
✔ Modern artisans (like us!) still handcraft beeswax candles, wraps, and balms
Beeswax wasn’t just practical - it was precious. It was traded, taxed, and stored like gold. Some monarchs even accepted it as tribute!
In our modern world, the humble bee has taken on new meaning. With environmental challenges mounting, the bee is now a buzzing emblem of ecological balance, biodiversity, and the importance of sustainable living.
✔ Vital pollinators for our crops and ecosystems
✔ Indicators of a healthy, thriving natural environment
✔ Symbols of environmental activism and protection
At Beeswax Bay Farm, our bees remind us daily to tread gently, work together, and sweeten life where we can.
From ancient altars to modern dinner tables, bees and honey have remained a golden thread in the human story. They're not just a sweet treat - they're a cultural treasure.
So the next time you light a beeswax candle or stir honey into your tea, give a little nod to the tiny creatures that have shaped our world in big ways.
Discover our full range of traditional beeswax products:
👉 www.beeswaxbayfarm.co.uk/shop