Maddie James
Blowing out birthday candles before they've fully burned out is a longstanding tradition believed to bring good luck. The superstition dictates that if you fail to extinguish all the candles in one breath, your birthday wish won't come true. This ritual has its roots in Ancient Greece, where candles were placed on cakes as offerings to the lunar goddess Artemis. Over time, the tradition evolved, with people believing that blowing out candles symbolically carried their prayers to the gods. While the exact origins of this custom are unknown, it has persisted across cultures, with many believing that blowing out candles is essential for good fortune. However, some modern candle enthusiasts argue that blowing out candles is disrespectful to angels and spirits and recommend alternative methods, such as using a wick dipper, to preserve the candle's fragrance and avoid a smoky room.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Superstition | Blowing out birthday candles increases bacteria on icing, carries prayers to the gods, grants wishes, and shows disrespect to angels and spirits. |
| History | The tradition of candles on cakes can be traced to Ancient Greece and Germany in the 18th century. |
| Alternatives | Using a wick dipper or snuffing out the candle. |
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What You'll Learn
Superstitions and spiritual beliefs
The act of blowing out candles on a birthday cake is steeped in superstition and spiritual beliefs. While the exact origins of these beliefs are unknown, they are thought to have evolved from various cultural and historical practices. One of the earliest known birthday celebrations dates back to around 3000 B.C.E., when Egyptians marked the birthday of a pharaoh, who was considered "birthed" as a god. The Greeks also played a significant role in shaping our modern birthday customs, offering round, moon-shaped cakes to the lunar goddess Artemis. They are also believed to be the first to place lit candles on cakes as a way to symbolise the glowing moon and ward off evil spirits.
Over time, different cultures have developed their own superstitions and beliefs associated with blowing out birthday candles. In many cultures, it is considered bad luck if you fail to blow out all the candles on your birthday cake in one breath. This belief holds that your birthday wish will not come true if you don't succeed in extinguishing all the candles at once. Some variations of this superstition include the idea that the number of candles left lit indicates how many years you have until your wedding day or that blowing out a single large candle in the middle of the cake will make your wish come true.
In Germany, the practice of placing a candle on a birthday cake for each year of life is common. Additionally, it is considered bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before the actual day. Some people even wait until the day after to give children their birthday gifts. Similarly, in Russia, it is considered unlucky to celebrate a birthday before the actual date.
Beyond birthdays, candles have broader spiritual significance. They are often seen as a link between the living and the divine, used to seek protection, guidance, or connection to the other side. In romantic contexts, lighting a candle during a dinner date is believed to ignite passion and deepen the bond between two people. Conversely, a candle that goes out prematurely might be seen as a sign of external forces working against the relationship. In séances, candles were used to communicate with spirits, and if they blew out suddenly, it was thought that an evil spirit was present and intended to cause harm.
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Birthday traditions and customs
The act of blowing out the birthday candles is surrounded by superstition and symbolism. Some believe that blowing out all the candles in one breath brings good luck and ensures that their birthday wish comes true. This belief is thought to have originated with the Egyptians, who recognised the birthdays of pharaohs, and the Greeks, who incorporated candles into their spiritual practices to ward off evil spirits and carry their prayers to the gods.
However, there are also traditions that discourage blowing out candles. In witchcraft, for example, some believe that blowing out candles "blows away your intentions" or shows disrespect to the elements, particularly fire, as it involves pitting one element of life against another. Practitioners of witchcraft may choose to snuff or pinch out candles or use alternative methods such as clapping above the candle or covering it with a teacup to extinguish the flame without blowing.
The order of singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out the candles also varies. While many people sing first and then blow out the candles, there are some who follow the opposite sequence or even blow them out before the song without singing at all.
Beyond birthday cakes, candles have a multitude of uses across different cultures and practices. They are used in churches as offerings of prayer or as symbols for Christ, known as the "Light of the World" or "Light of Life". Candles are also used in aromatherapy, spiritual healing, energy cleansing, and divination practices such as candle wax reading or ceromancy.
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Candle care and maintenance
Storage
Temperature and light exposure are key factors in candle degradation. Store your candles in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or basement. If you notice condensation on the surface of your stored candles, wipe them with a paper towel and move them to a location with a more consistent temperature.
Candle Holder Maintenance
Always place your candle on a heat-resistant surface or, better yet, in a candle holder to avoid unnecessary burn marks. After removing a spent candle, use a spoon to carefully scrape the melted wax from the holder. You can also use a mug warmer to make the process easier. Clean and dry the holder before inserting a new candle.
Wick Maintenance
Keep your candle's wick trimmed to approximately 6mm before each burn. This will help your candle last longer, smell fresh, and burn evenly. Trimming the wick prevents black residue around the candle jar and reduces smoke.
Burning Tips
When lighting a new candle for the first time, allow the top surface of the candle to melt completely. Blowing out the candle too early can create a rim of hard wax that never melts, even as the wick and central wax continue to burn down. Do not burn your candle all the way down to the bottom. Instead, retire your candle when around 5mm of wax remains to protect the container from overheating and creating a mess. As a general rule, do not leave burning candles unattended for longer than four hours.
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The science behind bacteria spread
Bacterial Transfer Associated with Blowing Out Candles on a Birthday Cake is a study that examines the potential spread of bacteria when blowing out birthday candles. The study found that blowing out birthday candles increases the amount of bacteria on the cake's frosting by 1400%. The level of bacteria that lands on the cake depends on the blower. In one instance, the bacteria level increased by 120,000%.
The study involved test subjects consuming pizza to stimulate their salivary glands before blowing out candles placed on a thin layer of icing spread on a sheet of foil over a Styrofoam base. The purpose of this setup was to determine the level of bacterial contamination on the icing surface after the candles were blown out. The experiment was replicated 33 times by 11 subjects.
The results indicated that bioaerosols in human breath expelled from the mouth are a source of bacteria transferred to cake surfaces. Due to the transfer of oral bacteria to icing by blowing out birthday candles, the transfer of bacteria and other microorganisms from the respiratory tract of the person blowing out the candles to the food consumed by others is likely.
Despite these findings, doctors are not overly concerned. The chances of getting sick from eating a slice of cake with blown-out candles are minimal, and birthday cakes do not seem to significantly contribute to the spread of deadly diseases. However, it is still essential to exercise common sense, such as avoiding the cake if the candle blower is visibly sick.
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Alternative methods of extinguishing
Blowing out candles, especially on birthday cakes, is a longstanding tradition. However, it is believed to increase the amount of bacteria on the icing by 1400%. It also leaves an unpleasant after-scent and soot on the wick. The smoke can also leave soot on the wax, making it look unappealing. Further, blowing out candles can cause the wax to become uneven or push it to the side of the container, creating tunneling.
- Using a wick dipper: This is a long-handled tool that you use to quickly press the wick down into the oil, eliminating oxygen and putting out the flame. This method produces little to no smoke and preserves the candle's original fragrance.
- Snuffing or pinching out: This method is mentioned in the context of witchcraft and spellcasting, where some practices suggest snuffing or pinching out the candle instead of blowing it out.
- Using a cup: One person describes using a small stoneware teacup to gently cover the candle, collecting the smoke and allowing it to trail up when the cup is removed.
- Clapping: In the context of witchcraft, one person mentions clapping just above the candle to put it out.
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Frequently asked questions
Blowing out birthday candles is believed to ward off evil spirits, according to ancient superstitions. It is also believed to send wishes to the gods and signify the light of life.
If a candle goes out prematurely, it might be a sign of external forces working against the relationship. It can also be considered bad luck.
In many cultures, lighting a candle during a romantic dinner is believed to ignite passion and deepen the bond between two people. In ancient beliefs, if a couple lights a candle together and it burns without flickering, it's a sign that their love is strong and will endure.
The tradition of blowing out birthday candles originated in ancient Greece, where the Greeks baked moon-shaped cakes and decorated them with candles to honour the goddess of the moon, Artemis.
