what happens when a candle is alight?
2 answers
Paraffin vaporizes near the base of the wick and is convected upwards into the air. Particles of soot form that give off the light before they burn up at a reaction front. It is called a "diffusion flame" because the oxidizer and fuel come together from opposite directions.
This reference explains how a candle works better than I just did:
http://www.answers.com/topic/diffusion-flame?cat=technology
http://www.answers.com/topic/diffusion-flame?cat=technology