From the very beginning of time, people have had an inexplicable fascination with fire. If you’ve ever found yourself gazing into the flames for hours on end, you’re not alone. From its comforting warmth to its soft glow, fire’s properties are nothing short of hypnotic. There are some hard-wired reasons why people are drawn to fire, and not all of them are as intuitive as you’d think.
It creates a community
If you’ve ever sat around a bonfire with your family and friends, you know that fire can immediately create a sense of community. This is rooted in the very origins of human existence. Fires were used to keep humans warm as well as to ward off potential predators, making them a safe haven for the weary. You’ll naturally feel comfortable, at peace, and closer to the people around you.
It’s unable to be mastered
Unless you spent a lot of time camping outdoors while growing up, you probably never learned how to truly master fire. If you fall into that boat, you’re not alone; it’s one of the main reasons why people are drawn to fire. Instinctually, we’re actually drawn to things that threaten us so that we can better understand them. People who never learned how to properly tamper, start, or control a fire will be compelled to observe it.
It symbolizes survival
Fire can have destructive properties, but it also greatly symbolizes survival. If you have a fire, you’re able to cook food and make it edible. If creatures are lurking in the night, a fire will scare them off . If it’s a freezing-cold night, fire will help you survive it. Right back to the beginnings of civilization, a burning fire meant you were safe. It makes sense, then, that humans are drawn toward fires and want to stay close to their glow.
Its blaze is meditative
Meditation isn’t just something that happens in a room filled with ambient music. It’s a practice that can happen anywhere, and fire certainly has meditative qualities. Its hypnotic glow and comforting warmth invites people to sit and stare and let their minds go blank, without a worry or care. Meditation isn’t just an enjoyable practice; it’s also great for your mental health. It only makes sense that we’re drawn toward something that allows us to let go of our anxieties.
What truly matters is how fire makes us feel. Nothing is better than curling up beside the fire or surrounding yourself with the soft glow of candles. So pull out your custom matches, bask in the glow of the flickering flame, and let everyone around it reap the benefits.