TraditionalThursday

Post no:01

Traditional Thursday 01

Hello all, Every Thursday have planned to share something about the tradition or the history behind the things which we follow now.

Today's post: 

Ever wondered why we actually blow candles and also cut cakes on birthdays? 

Well, there wasn't an exact reason for this but there are two to three theories which people believe. 

Blowing candles and cutting cakes

Greek Belief:

• Some believe that the tradition of birthday candles began in Ancient Greece, 
• when people brought cakes and lit candles to the temple of Artemis, goddess of the hunt. 
• The candle were also used to indicate the goddess's presidency over fertility!!
• Also, it was lit to make them glow like the moon, a popular symbol associated with Artemis.
• Many ancient cultures also believed that smoke carried their prayers to the heavens.

German Belief:     

Other believe is that the tradition of birthday candles started with the Germans. 

• In 1746, Count Ludwig Von Zinzindorf celebrated his birthday with an extravagant festival which also included cake and candles.

 “There was a Cake as large as any Oven could be found to bake it, and Holes made in the Cake according to the Years of the Person’s Age, every one having a Candle stuck into it, and one in the Middle.”

• The Germans also celebrated with birthday candles during Kinder fest, a birthday celebration for children in the 1700's. A single birthday candle was lit and placed on the cake to symbolize the “light of life".

• In early Europe, the words for cake and bread were virtually interchangeable; the only difference being that cakes were sweet while bread was not. 
• The bakeries of Germany used to make one layered cake for the customers on their birthday and wedding anniversary. 
• The bigger cakes made appearance only for wealthy people those days.
• Number of candles on the cake indicated the age of the person. 

Pagan Belief:

• The use of fire in ritual is ancient. 
• Thus The birthday candles are an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune.
• In pagan culture, it was believed evil spirits visited people on their birthdays. 
• To protect the person having the birthday from evil, people used to surround him and make merry. Party goers made much noise to scare away evil spirits. 
• In those times there was no tradition of bringing gifts and guests would merely bring good wishes for the birthday person. 
• However, if a guest did bring gifts it was considered to be a good sign for the person of honor.
• Later, flowers became quite popular as a birthday gift.

Swiss Belief:

A reference to the tradition of blowing out the candles was documented in Switzerland in 1881. 
This is the theory most of us follow right now.
Make a wish, blow the entire candle before eating the cake.


Interesting!
Have a good day folks! :)