Jessie Taylor
Blowing out candles on a birthday cake is a tradition that has been around for a long time. The earliest stories of candles and cakes are linked to ancient Greece, where people brought cakes adorned with lit candles to the temple of Artemis, the moon goddess. The cakes were round and moon-shaped, and the candles were lit to make them glow like the moon in the night sky. The Greeks believed that the smoke of the candles carried their prayers to the heavens. Over time, the tradition evolved and spread to other parts of the world, with different cultures adding their own meanings and rituals. For example, in Germany, birthday candles were used during Kinderfest, a birthday celebration for children dating back to the Middle Ages, where a single candle represented the light of life. Today, the tradition of blowing out birthday candles is still widely practised, often with wishes being made before the candles are blown out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ancient Greece, Germany, Switzerland |
| Purpose | Honouring gods, warding off evil spirits, making wishes |
| Superstitions | Wishes must be kept secret, candles blown out in one breath |
| Symbolism | Unity, celebration, the cycle of life, the light of life |
| Number of Candles | One for each year of life, plus one for good luck |
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What You'll Learn
Ancient Greek beliefs
The tradition of placing candles on cakes and then blowing them out is often attributed to the ancient Greeks. However, there is no direct historical record of candles being placed on cakes to honour the gods. Nevertheless, some scholars believe that the idea likely stems from rituals associated with Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon.
In ancient Greek traditions, candles have been used for centuries in spring festivals. For instance, on the sixth day of every lunar month, the ancient Greeks lit candles made of beeswax to commemorate the birth of Artemis. Candles in the form of human figures, wreaths, and flowers were also used in these spring festivals to celebrate the birth of Greek goddesses.
The ancient Greeks also baked round cakes to symbolise the moon and adorned them with candles to represent the reflected moonlight. These cakes were then transferred to the temple of Artemis, where the candles were blown out, and wishes were made. It was believed that the smoke carried the prayers to heaven.
The use of candles in rituals and ceremonies dates back thousands of years, even before ancient Greece. In ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley civilisation, candles symbolised divine presence, enlightenment, and guidance. Light, both literal and figurative, has long been an important element in philosophy, religion, and spirituality.
The ancient Greeks also held a lampadephoria, a torch relay race that involved transporting a sacred flame to the altar of Hera during the Panathenaic Games.
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German Kinderfeste tradition
The tradition of placing candles on birthday cakes and blowing them out is often attributed to the German Kinderfest (or Kinderfeste), a traditional festival celebrating children that dates back to the Middle Ages. Kinderfest is a children's festival filled with dancing, singing, and dessert-eating, where a child receives a special cake with candles.
The number of candles on the cake varies in different traditions. In one tradition, there would be one candle for each year of the celebrant's life, plus an extra candle for hope and protection or "one to grow on" in the coming year. Another tradition holds that there were two candles: one representing the light of life and the other the years in the child's future. A third tradition states that there was one candle for each year of life, with no mention of an extra candle.
The candles were blown out to send wishes up to the gods and goddesses, with the smoke carrying those wishes to heaven. The wish would only come true if the child blew out all the candles in one breath and kept the wish a secret.
The German Kinderfeste tradition began to spread to the United States in the 18th century as German immigrants brought their customs to the New World. By the 1880s, birthday candles had become increasingly popular in the US, and Americans started their own unique traditions, such as singing hymns or reciting original poems around the cake.
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Swiss superstitions
The tradition of blowing out birthday candles has existed for a surprisingly long time. While the exact origin of the birthday candle ritual is unknown, there are multiple theories explaining this tradition. One theory attributes the tradition to the early Greeks, who lit candles to honour the goddess Artemis on the sixth day of every lunar month. Another theory suggests that the tradition originated in Switzerland in 1881, where the number of candles on the cake corresponded to the age of the person. The Swiss middle class followed several superstitions, including the belief that blowing out each candle one by one would protect the birthday person from evil spirits.
In Germany in 1746, Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf threw himself a lavish birthday celebration. His cake was said to be enormous, with candles stuck in it, marking his age. This quickly became the norm for birthdays in Germany, and the tradition spread to other countries. By the 19th century, German immigrants brought the birthday candle tradition to the United States.
The symbolism of candles has evolved over time. In many traditions, including early Christian mysticism, breath was associated with the soul. Blowing out a candle while making a silent wish carries echoes of votive prayer. Candles have also been used to represent inner light and personal growth.
Superstitions surrounding candles are prevalent worldwide. For example, if a candle blows out suddenly, it is believed that an evil spirit is present and intends to harm those nearby. Another superstition warns that forgetting about a lit candle will invite bad luck. Additionally, a candle that burns down completely will bring misfortune to the person who lit it.
In romantic contexts, lighting a candle during a dinner date is believed to ignite passion and strengthen the bond between two people. Lighting two candles from a single flame symbolises two souls uniting as one. Conversely, if a candle flickers or goes out prematurely, it may signify external forces working against the relationship.
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Evil spirits
The tradition of placing candles on birthday cakes is often attributed to the German Kinderfest, a traditional festival celebrating children. People believed that children were especially vulnerable to evil spirits on their birthdays. Thus, lighting candles may have served as a form of spiritual protection. The candles were left to burn throughout the day until the evening meal, and their smoke was believed to carry the child's wishes to heaven and ward off evil spirits.
The ancient Greeks also contributed to the tradition of putting candles on cakes. They brought round-shaped cakes adorned with lit candles when they visited the temple of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The candles were lit to make them glow like the moon, a popular symbol associated with Artemis. It was believed that the smoke from the candles carried their wishes and prayers to the gods that lived in the sky and helped ward off evil spirits.
In early Christian mysticism, breath was tied to the soul. Blowing out a candle while making a silent intention carries echoes of votive prayer. The symbolism evolved, and lit candles came to represent inner light and personal growth.
The burning of candles in some spiritual faiths, such as Wicca or witchcraft, depends on the candle being 'charged' with a desire or wish. Blowing out the candles is believed to spread one's will and/or wish into the universe.
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Birthday wishes
In the 15th century, German bakeries introduced single-layered cakes for birthday celebrations, which led to the creation of the tradition of cutting a cake on birthdays. The Germans added their magic to the tradition by including an extra candle for good luck and believing that making a silent wish while blowing out the candles would make it come true. This enchanting ritual eventually transcended boundaries and became a core part of birthday celebrations worldwide.
According to another theory, the tradition of blowing out birthday candles originated in Switzerland in 1881. The Swiss middle class was superstitious, and the number of candles on the cake corresponded to the age of the person. The birthday celebrant was then asked to blow out each candle one by one. A similar belief was held by the Pagans, who lit birthday candles to ward off evil spirits that were believed to visit people on their birthdays.
Today, birthday celebrations across the globe involve blowing out candles, cutting a cake, and singing the "Happy Birthday" song. The birthday boy or girl makes a silent wish before blowing out the candles, believing that keeping the wish secret will make it come true. This tradition adds a touch of magic to birthday celebrations and has become a cherished part of our culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Blowing out birthday candles is believed to have originated in ancient Greece and Germany. The ancient Greeks would extinguish all the candles, allowing the smoke to carry their prayers and wishes to the heavens. The Germans added their magic to the tradition by making a silent wish and believing that not sharing the wish would make it come true.
The significance of lighting candles on a birthday cake is to symbolise the joy and sweetness of life, with each candle representing a year lived. The candles are also believed to ward off evil spirits.
Birthday cakes originated from German Kinderfest and ancient traditions, symbolising unity, celebration, and the cycle of life. In the 15th century AD, German bakeries introduced single-layered cakes for birthday celebrations.
The tradition of making a wish when blowing out birthday candles comes from the belief that the smoke carries our prayers and wishes to the heavens or the gods.
