These were the candles that waves of Japanese people carried as they formed a human chain around the National Diet building (where the Japanese legislature meets) in Tokyo this past March 11. You might recall this date being the anniversary of the tsunami that sparked the deadly Fukushima atomic disaster last year.

The candles eventually burn to leave the disfigured stump of a clumpy hand – which is “symbolic of human tendency to only be able to communicate after things are badly damaged.” That’s in case the middle finger didn’t get the point across in the first place.

[via Spoon Tamago]

It was created by artist Johan Bruninx, who makes sculptures using old toy parts covered in a shiny metal finish (among other things.) I only wish I could buy one of these for my dining table. All I can imagine is setting up a tiny scale model of Tokyo on my table and then putting this thing in the middle. I would totally ditch my current candleholders for this one in a heartbeat, and set Gojira loose on my houseguests instead.

[via KNSTRCT and Lazorz]

ThinkGeek has just announced the exclusive new Star Wars Lightsaber Candlestick, which is… exactly as it sounds.

This candlestick is a perfect replica of Darth Vader’s lightsaber – other than the part where it stands up on your dining table and holds a candle instead of emitting a plasma blade. Other than that, it’s identical.

It’s made out of cast zinc-alloy and chrome-plated, and does unscrew from the stand – but I don’t recommend waving around a lit lightsaber, unless you want to burn your enemies out of revenge for being left lying in flaming lava on Mustafar. They’re also kind enough to include three tall red candles, which is the only way to go with Darth’s Saber.

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ThinkGeek says the Lightsaber Candlestick will ship in early December, just in time for holiday gift-giving, and it will sell for $39.99 (USD). Hit them up here if you want to get on the e-mail notification list.

Nothing like a nice pair of zombies to go with that relaxing glow of candlelight. I think I want one of these in my bathroom next to the whirlpool. Turn down the lights real low, load up the tub with some bubbles, sip some champagne, crank up some tunes from the Bioshock soundtrack, and… BRAAAAAAAINS!

London UK-based Mathmos is getting set to release their new Fireflow lava lamps. The lights eliminate the need for electricity, instead substituting the heat of a simple tea light candle.

The Fireflow R1 and Fireflow O1 were designed by the same company that invented the original lava lamp over 45 years ago. The R1 looks like a tiny rocket ship, loaded up with bubbly goo that gradually morphs under the warm glow of candlelight.

The O1 features a modern design that floats a mouth-blown glass lava container several inches in the air above the flame.

Both versions are is available in a variety of fluorescent colors, as well as a sparkly glitter version, sans lava. You can also choose from a chrome or black metal finish. Burn time is rated at appx. 3 hours – or however long an average tea light glows.

Mathmos expects to ship the Fireflow lava lamps this Fall, with the Fireflow R1 selling for £29 (appx. $49 USD), and the Fireflow O1 priced at £35 (appx. $60 USD).

The guys at Russian design shop Mystake have created these candles that look just like bombs and dynamite sticks. They’re called “notmy” candles, as in “Officer, those are NOT MY explosives sitting on the table.” But unlike the real deal, these ones are guaranteed NOT to explode. At least I hope so.

You can grab the notmy bomb candle for $4.90 (USD), the dynamite for $6.90, or the “ammunition pack” that includes both for $10.90 over at the Mystake Shop. Of course, if you happen to be friends with any ATF agents, you might want to skip putting them out when they swing by the house.

LED candle: so am I.

Normal candle: people can put me out just by blowing on my flame!

LED candle: same here.

Normal candle: …

LED candle: people can put me ON just by blowing on my flame.

Normal candle: WAT

LED candle: BURN!

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LED candle: I also come in two shades.

LED candle: And I don’t set houses on fire.

Normal candle: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa- (sets itself on fire)

LED candle: Although I do need electricity…

[via ThinkGeek]

The artist says that the outside won’t burn so you can reuse the candle with a tealight inside. Maybe it’s just my warped mind, but think it would be a heck of a lot cooler to see a little Mario meets Indiana Jones Nazi face melting action.

The one-of-a-kind wax masterpiece is yours for the low, low price of $18.99 over on eBay.

[via gameSniped]

Designers Alex Garnett and Nahoko Koyama are expected to show these at the upcoming ICFF contemporary furnishings show in New York later this week. Pricing and availability hasn’t been announced yet.

[via NOTCOT]

The clever design even includes a giant “matchstick” which turns the candle on when struck against the side of the tubular silicon fixture. Each candle comes with its own charging base which can provide up to 8 hours on a single charge. They also come with a wall mounting bracket if you’d like to use them as sconces.

METAPHYS Lighting’s Hono 24000 LED candles were designed by Chiaki Murata, who also has the distinction of being the lead designer for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console.

All this nifty industrial design and technology does come at a price though, with each light costing ¥9,975, or about $85 USD each, you’ll be hard-pressed to cover your birthday cake with them.

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Pac-man, Pong, Space Invaders and Tetris all make an appearance, along with a nice little musical Mario tribute. Now wasn’t that fun?