Tyler Brooks
The tradition of placing candles on cakes is believed to have originated with the ancient Greeks, who once a month would celebrate the birth of Artemis, the Goddess of the Moon, by placing lit candles on round cakes to represent the reflected moonlight. The tradition later spread to Germany, where it was customary to place a large candle in the centre of a cake to symbolise the light of life. The number of candles on a birthday cake today typically corresponds to the age of the person celebrating their birthday, with an extra candle sometimes added for good luck. But what did the cake say to the candle?
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What You'll Learn
The history of candles on cakes
The tradition of placing candles on cakes is believed to have originated in Germany in the 18th century, although some sources suggest that it may date back to ancient Roman or Greek times.
In Germany, during the 18th century, which was then the Holy Roman Empire, birthday celebrations included cakes with candles. One notable example is Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf of Marienborn's birthday party in 1746, where a large cake with candles marking his age was served. This tradition of elaborate birthday cakes with candles continued to evolve, with cakes becoming more accessible to the lower classes due to the Industrial Revolution.
In the late medieval period, cakes re-emerged as festive foods, particularly in elite homes, and were not associated with pagan rituals. In the 17th century, birthday cakes became more elaborate with icing, layers, and decorations, but these were still mostly affordable only to the wealthy. It was in the 18th century that food and baking utensils became more widely available, making cakes more accessible to a wider range of people.
The tradition of placing candles on cakes also has symbolic significance. The candles are said to represent inner light and personal growth, with each candle representing a year of the celebrant's life. In some cultures, an additional candle, known as the "light of life" or "one to grow on," is added. The custom of blowing out the candles and making a silent wish is believed to ensure that the wish comes true if all the candles are extinguished in a single breath.
Today, the tradition of placing candles on cakes is a widespread practice in many cultures, especially for children's birthdays. The number of candles often corresponds to the age of the individual, and the cake is presented with lit candles, accompanied by the singing of a birthday song.
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Why candles are blown out
The tradition of placing candles on cakes can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where candles were placed as an offering to deities and the goddess Artemis. The number of candles placed on the cake traditionally corresponds to the age of the individual being celebrated, with an additional candle for the "light of life".
The tradition of blowing out candles is also ancient and has been a part of birthday celebrations in Western European countries since at least the middle of the 19th century. The act of blowing out candles is rooted in superstition, with the belief that the smoke from the candles carries the child's wishes to heaven. In addition, it is thought that if all the candles are extinguished in a single breath, the wish will come true.
From a scientific perspective, blowing out a candle involves disrupting the combustion process by forcefully moving air and displacing oxygen, which is essential for a candle to remain lit. The stream of air created by blowing moves faster than the speed of the flame, causing the flame to move away from its fuel source, resulting in its extinguishment.
The birthday candle tradition has evolved over time, with different variations and meanings in various cultures. For instance, in the early 1800s, guests blew out the candles instead of the celebrant, and the meaning differed depending on the state. Today, birthday cakes with candles are a common element of birthday celebrations, especially for children, and the tradition is likely to continue for generations to come.
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The number of candles
Over time, the tradition evolved, and the number of candles on a birthday cake came to represent the age of the individual being celebrated. In the Anglosphere and many other cultures, it is customary to place one candle on the cake for each year of the person's life. Sometimes, an extra candle is added for good luck or as the "light of life". Alternatively, candles shaped like the numeral digits of the celebrant's age can be used.
The birthday cake is usually presented with all the candles lit, and guests sing a birthday song, such as "Happy Birthday to You". The celebrant then blows out the candles and makes a wish. It is believed that if all the candles are extinguished in a single breath, the wish will come true and bring good luck for the year ahead.
The tradition of using candles on birthday cakes spread from Germany to the rest of Europe and eventually to America. Initially, only the very wealthy could afford elaborate birthday cakes with multiple layers, icing, and decorations. However, with the Industrial Revolution, birthday cakes became accessible to the lower classes as well.
Today, birthday cakes with candles are a common element of birthday celebrations, and the number of candles continues to hold significance, representing the age of the individual and their journey through life.
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The type of candles
The joke "What did the cake say to the candle?" is a play on the idea of a cake with birthday candles on top. The punchline is often a response like "I'm going out tonight!" or "Don't light me yet, it's too early for my flame-ous debut!".
Candles have been used for centuries to illuminate spaces and create ambiance. The type of candle chosen depends on the purpose, whether it is for decorative or aromatherapy purposes, the size and shape desired, scent preference, and safety considerations. Here are some of the most common types of candles:
Pillar Candles
Pillar candles are classic and versatile, characterised by their cylindrical shape and self-supporting nature. They are available in various sizes and colours, making them perfect for decorative and practical purposes, adding warmth and elegance to any setting.
Taper Candles
Taper candles are slender and elegant, tapering towards one end. They are traditionally used for formal occasions such as dinners and weddings and come in a range of colours and lengths, allowing for creative arrangements and displays.
Tealight Candles
Tealight candles are the smallest type of candle, originally used to keep tea warm. They are now mainly used for decorative and accent lighting purposes and typically come packaged in a metal or plastic container.
Votive Candles
Votive candles are small and burn into the holder they are placed in, rather than coming packaged in a container like tealights.
Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles are made from natural beeswax, which gives them a warm, honey-like aroma. They are known for their clean-burning properties and are environmentally friendly.
Soy Candles
Soy candles are made from soybean wax, a renewable resource that burns cleaner and longer than traditional paraffin wax. They are a popular choice for eco-conscious consumers and come in a variety of colours and scents.
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The placement of candles
The tradition of placing candles on birthday cakes is believed to have originated in Germany in the 18th century, with references to German immigrants bringing the custom to the United States in the 19th century. The birthday cake was often as large as an oven could bake, with holes made to insert candles representing the individual's age. Over time, birthday cakes became more elaborate, featuring multiple layers, icing, and decorations.
In terms of specific placement, some people opt for a symmetrical arrangement, especially when using numeral-shaped candles. For a round cake, placing the candles radially around the cake can create an attractive visual effect. If you want to get creative, you can compute the best fit of a circle to find the weighted centre point of the cake and then arrange the candles in a circular array.
In recent years, there has been a rise in popularity of cake sparklers due to concerns about blowing on the cake and the added drama they bring. Additionally, the use of cake fountains or sparklers eliminates the need for blowing and reduces the risk of contamination.
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