The History and Cultural Discussions Surrounding Ear Candling

Clarifying the Term “Hopi Ear Candles”

The history of ear candling includes many oral traditions and cultural stories, though most are undocumented and cannot be verified. Some commercial sources may present unverified claims about its origins.

Some commercial sources have claimed a connection between ear candling and the Hopi Tribe. There is no verified documentation that supports this association, and official representatives of the Hopi Tribe have clarified that ear candling was not a traditional practice of their community.

The Hopi Tribe has not granted permission for the use of their name or cultural practices in connection with commercial ear candling products.

The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office has established guidelines to protect Hopi cultural and intellectual property. Any research, publication, or commercial activity relating to Hopi culture requires prior authorization.

The Hopi people desire to protect their rights to privacy and their intellectual property rights. Due to the continued misrepresentation and exploitation of the rights of the Hopi people, guidelines were established to protect the rights of present and future generations of Hopi people. The Hopi Tribe requires that any entity whether private or commercial wishing to engage in research, publication, or recording activities on the Hopi Reservation first obtain a permit from the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, located in the Honahnie building in Kykotsmovi, AZ.

Publicly available information indicates that permission has not been granted by the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office for the commercial use of the Hopi name in connection with ear candling products.

The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office has stated that the name “Hopi” should not be used in connection with ear candling products. Since the Hopi Tribe is indigent, they have no recourse available to them except to respond to the claims that Biosun has made with the following statement:

The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office is not aware of Hopi people ever practicing “Ear Candling.” Biosun and Revital Ltd. are misrepresenting the name “Hopi” with their products. This therapy should not be called “Hopi Ear Candling.” The history of Ear Candling should not refer to as being used by the Hopi Tribe. Use of this false information with reference to Hopi should be stopped

Biosun has placed a mural from the Desert View Watchtower next to Martin Gashwesoma in many of his marketing pieces to represent the use of ear candling in the Hopi Tribe. Biosun states that the picture is a “coloured wall mural in the Hopi tower Grand Canyon.”

This picture is not part of the Grand Canyon but instead was created in 1932 by architect Mary Coulter and constructed by the Fred Harvey Company.

According to the National Park Service of the United States of America: The mural is one-quadrant of a 4 quadrant mural painted by Fred Kabotie in 1932 at the Desert View Watchtower. In her 1933 book entitled “Manual for Drivers and Guides of the Indian Watchtower at Desert View and its Relation, Architecturally to the Prehistoric Ruins of the Southwest,” the image displayed is one of the father giving prayer sticks to his son. The son is about to leave on a journey down the Colorado River in search of the snake people. The mural is part of the snake legend story of the Hopi people. The prayer sticks (feathers) are commonly depicted as part of Hopi customs.

For those interested in Hopi cultural history, we encourage reviewing official publications from the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office or National Park Service resources: http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-HtmlLegends/The_Origin_Of_The_Hopi_Snake_Clan-Hopi.html

Various marketing materials have linked ear candling to Egyptian, Mayan, and Aztec cultures. However, there is no verified historical documentation supporting those claims, and they are considered anecdotal rather than academically established.

Traditional Ear Candling

Oral histories suggest ear candling has been used within certain communities for several generations. The exact origins remain uncertain. Today, ear candles are marketed and used as non-medical relaxation products intended for ambiance and personal self-care rituals.

Historical accounts describe communities in Italy, Poland, and Spain using various materials to create ear candles for cultural and relaxation-based rituals.

Different cultures have used a variety of materials for ear candles, including:

• Italy- Cheese Cloth
• India- Papyrus Reeds
• Mexico- Newspaper
• Some oral accounts reference the use of corn husks in certain North American communities.